MAYOR Rodrigo Duterte reminded the public on Sunday that the city has a policy that orders the impounding of stray dogs and subject them for euthanasia or mercy killing.
He said each dog owner should be responsible enough to look after their pets.
Duterte was referring to City Ordinance 1457, which prohibits the "loosening or letting astray of dogs/cattle in the city."
Section 7 of the ordinance states that "dogs/cattle shall be considered stray if they are not accompanied by its owner and found wandering in public places."
"Dogs impounded will be under the care of the Office of the City Veterinarian for three days only and are subject for euthanasia/mercy killing," the ordinance reads.
Duterte said stray dogs often carry rabies.
"Mao nang kanang mga iro ninyo, hikti na kay mao nay muspread sa rabies. Kahibaw ko masakitan mo kung mabingwit na sa taga Animal Control (of City Veterinarian Office). Grabe ang attachment ana eh, labi na sa mga anak (Tie up your dogs in order to control the spread of rabies. I know you'll get hurt once your dogs will be impounded)," he said.
Dr. Annabelle Yuman of Department of Health (DOH)-Davao earlier reminded the public anew to have their pets vaccinated for rabies.
She said rabies is the most fatal among infectious diseases but it is "100 percent preventable."
Yuman said there were already 14 cases of mortality due to rabies from 2010 to 2012 in Davao City.
March is the National Rabies Awareness Month in the Philippines.