Former City Vet Reminds Dog Vaccine, Animal Care

Some people love to have pet dogs in their house, but they can’t afford to feed them everyday that is why their pets roam to look for food to eat.

Former Cebu City veterinarian Alice Utlang who is already detailed at the City Agriculture Office said Republic Act 8485 provides that pet dogs should not be deprived of adequate care, sustenance or shelter. “Bisan gani og ihigot nimo ang iro unya imong pauwanan makalapas ka na sa balaud,” Utlang explained.

Section 6 of The Animal Welfare Act of 1998 provides that “it shall be unlawful for any person to torture any animal, to neglect to provide adequate care, sustenance or shelter, or maltreat any animals or to subject any dog or horse to fights, kill or cause or procure to be tortured.”

Any person who violate any provisions of Republic Act 8485, upon conviction by final judgment, be punished by imprisonment of not less than six months nor more than two years of a fine of not less than P1,000 and not more than P5,000.

In Cebu City, dog lovers are required to have their pets vaccinated of anti-rabies vaccines as one way to prevent transmittal of rabies in case they bite a person.

The Department of Veterinary Medicine now headed by Dr. Pilar Romero, is requesting the officials of 11 barangays in the city because they have dogs that were found to be positive of rabies.

These are Barangays Parian, Talamban, Tisa, Quiot, Kinasang-an, Apas, Punta Princesa, Guadalupe, Kalunasan, Sawang Calero and Kamputhaw.