ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry Treñas ordered an investigation on the alleged euthanasia or “mercy killing” of dogs here.
The city mayor tasked the City Legal Office to head the probe.
“I will wait for their recommendation,” said Treñas.
It has been alleged that the City Veterinary Office killed 11 stray dogs.
On July 22, Facebook page “SPAR Strategic Power for Animal Respondents – Philippines” claimed that “euthanasia in Iloilo City…(is) still ongoing.”
The allegation was earlier denied by the City Dog Pound and Animal Shelter.
“There is no truth to mercy killing of stray dogs captured and turned over to the facility. The City Pound has no record per logbook of the alleged dog caught on July 20, 2022 in Barangay Navais, Mandurriao. There were only three dogs logged on the same day upon receipt after they were taken from the Iloilo Business Park area,” a statement from the City Pound read.
In media interviews, City Veterinarian Dr. Tomas Forteza admitted there were stray dogs rounded up in Barangay Navais, Mandurriao and were subjected to euthanasia recently. But he clarified that it did not involve the city-run dog pound.
Forteza further said there was an emergency request from the Barangay Navais Council through their punong barangay about stray dogs in their area and they could not identify the owners.
Forteza said barangay residents were worried of their safety; those stray dogs could be rabid.
“Gin-assess namon…damu-damo gid man stray dogs. And once may evident aggressiveness ang ido, lain na ang pag-tratar naton – rabies emergency na,” Forteza said.
During a rabies emergency, dogs rounded up are “put to sleep.” This is part of the protocol set by the National Rabies Control Program, stressed Forteza.
“Allowed kami to decide kon ang dog nga nakuha namon as stray is safe for adoption or kinanglan i-eliminate,” Forteza explained.
He added: “Our role at the City Veterinary is to protect the public because human life is more important. Do we need another death (human rabies) para mag aksyon kita against stray dogs?”
The problem actually boils down to irresponsible dog owners, said Forteza.
“Kon wala salawayon nga mga tag-iya sang ido, wala kita stray dogs, waay dapat dakpon,” he added./PN
