PVO vaccinates 3,203 dogs, targets 7,000 more for March

THE Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) of Negros Occidental has already vaccinated 3,203 heads of dogs in the province, and is targeting about 7,000 more for March only during the observance of the Rabies Awareness Month.

PVO records showed that from March 1 to 11, it has already saturated about 20 barangays in 12 local government units (LGUs) for the conduct of massive dog vaccination.

It has so far vaccinated the highest number of dogs in Victorias City, 816, followed by E.B. Magalona – 498, Pulupandan – 301, Cauayan – 238, Manapla – 220, Ilog – 215, Talisay City – 208, Valladolid – 207, Hinigaran – 145, La Carlota City – 135, Binalbagan – 132, and La Castellana - 88.

Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena said Monday that within the month, the PVO targets to saturate all 12 cities and 19 municipalities in Negros Occidental.

Based on the national guidelines, all LGUs should be mobilized thus, the cities and municipalities have veterinarians and paravets respectively to implement the vaccination for free, he added.

“As long as we cannot eradicate rabies, the public is not yet safe,” Decena said, adding that the government has to strictly enforce the law providing penalties for irresponsible dog owners.

He reiterated the importance of responsible pet ownership, particularly subjecting the animals to regular vaccination and providing them proper care under the Animal Welfare Act.

This year’s Rabies Awareness Month is themed, “End Rabies, Now Na!”

Aside from vaccination, PVO is also conducting information and education campaign (IEC) among communities and schools, including symposia and dog shows. As of March 11, it has already conducted IECs in 11 LGUs, covering 2,725 dog owners.

In terms of annual target vaccination, PVO is the eyeing vaccination of 70 percent of the total dog population in the province for 2016.

PVO records further 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 Negros Occidental.

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.

PVO also recorded three cases of confirmed deaths due to rabies last year – 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 this year, no deaths due to rabies were recorded so far.

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, it added.

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