THE Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) of Negros Occidental has urged dog owners to have their pets vaccinated as the persisting extreme heat may trigger aggressiveness among animals, which may cause them to bite.
Dr. Ryan Janoya, head of the PVO Animal Health and Meat Inspection Division, said vaccinations would ensure that in case dogs do bite, transmission of diseases such as rabies may be kept to a minimum.
“Dogs should be vaccinated to ensure safety among humans,” Janoya said, adding that if possible, pet owners should not let their dogs roam outside their properties.
Janoya said the PVO, through local government units (LGU), provides free anti-rabies vaccines, and regularly conducts mass dog vaccinations.
PVO records showed that in 2015, it had vaccinated a total of 163,040 dogs, covering 70.16 percent of the 232,395 total dog population in the province.
Impounding teams of various LGUs were able to catch 2,777 stray dogs last year. Of the number, only 237 were redeemed by their owners, 2,262 were terminated, and 1,013 were castrated.
In 2015, PVO recorded three cases of confirmed deaths due to rabies: one each in Calatrava town, Sipalay City, and Sagay City. The cases were fewer than the four recorded in 2014: two victims from Sagay City, and one each from the cities of Cadiz and San Carlos.
For canine rabies, PVO tested 13 positive cases in Negros Occidental last year out of 28 samples examined, and none from Bacolod City among the eight samples it submitted for laboratory examination.
Aside from giving dogs their regular vaccination, pet owners should also provide proper care for their animals, the PVO added.
Dogs should be given a bath at least twice a week, Janoya said, adding that owners should feed their pets regularly and provide them with enough food, water, sanitation, and ventilation.