THE head of Talisay City’s veterinary office denied allegations they are disposing of euthanized stray dogs in the septic tank of the city’s modern slaughterhouse.
Dr. Lito Alo, acting Talisay City veterinarian, said they disposed euthanized stray dogs in a mass grave at the city sanitary landfill in Barangay Tapul.
Alo reacted after Cherie Sulague Go posted on Facebook that euthanized stray dogs are reportedly being dumped at the slaughterhouse’s septic tank.
Go, who claims to be concerned for the safety of the stray dogs, claimed that her dog was apprehended by the city pound and she had rescued it just before it was euthanized five days later.
Go has since deactivated her Facebook account.
Alo said once they euthanized the stray dogs through lethal injection, they immediately dump the dead dogs in Tapul.
But they don’t euthanize the dogs immediately, Alo said. They give owners a chance to claim the dogs for a few days, he said.
Alo, however, said that Go’s concern also brought about the issue of responsible pet ownership in the city.
Alo lamented the presence of stray dogs on the street is a clear sign that some pet owners no longer practice responsible ownership.
Alo said allowing dogs to go astray will mean an increase of incidents in dog bites.
As of last month, the Talisay District Hospital recorded 900 dog bite incidents, with children being majority of the victims.
He urged pet owners to keep their pets inside their homes.
Alo also reminded pet owners that based on Republic 9482 or the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007, even dogs with collars could be apprehended for impounding if they are found astray. (JKV)