ILOILO City – Councilor Plaridel Nava filed a proposed ordinance amending Regulation Ordinance 2013-065 (An Ordinance Creating the Iloilo City Pound Ordinance).
Among others, it prohibits “mercy killing” or the euthanizing of animals except in instances prescribed by Republic Act 8485 or The Animal Welfare Act. These include the following:
* when the domesticated pet is afflicted with an incurable communicable disease as determined and certified by a duly licensed veterinarian;
* when the killing is deemed necessary to put an end to the misery being suffered by the animal as determined and certified by a duly licensed veterinarian;
* when killing is necessary to prevent an imminent danger to the life or limb of a human being
Torturing or neglecting to provide adequate care to impounded stray animals will also be considered.
Also, Section 3 of the proposed measure provides ways how the impounded domesticated pets.
The City Veterinarian Office (CVO) shall ensure that the seized stray domesticated pets shall not, in any manner, be subjected to abuse, maltreatment, cruelty and exploitation and the condition of the impounding facilities shall be adequate, clean and sanitary.
The CVO may allow the adoption of impounded domesticated pets in favor of any interested private individual or entity who is able and willing to give the domesticated pet proper care and attention without any fee or consideration.
However, the adopter shall sign an affidavit of undertaking to ensure the well-being of the adopted domesticated pets.
After the lapse of 10 days from the time the pound notice has been issued, the impounded stray domesticated pets shall be forfeited in favor of the city government. In case the lawful owner/custodian appears, claims and redeems before the lapse of the 10-day period, the impounded domesticated pets shall be returned to him/her without any impounding fee.
Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna, who chairs Committee on Public Safety, commented that it is indeed rightful to protect the domesticated pets that’s why he is supportive of the proposed measure.
Cabaluna is also eyeing to regulate or prevent dog peddling.
“Damu gakatabo. Iban gina negosyo ya ang pagpabata sang mga ido kag ginabaligya,” he said./PN
