The Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office has recorded 6,350 dog bite cases in seven months this year, while two persons from Escalante City and Pulupandan town died, Dr. Renante Decena, provincial veterinarian, said yesterday.

Decena said the cases this year are higher compared to last year with the total dog bite cases for 2011 at 6,500.

He said local government units should implement regulations on stray dogs and make dog owners responsible for their animals to prevent accidents and dog bites.

He added that PVO received 15,359 vials anti-rabies vaccines in 2010 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that were allocated to all LGUs to attain a rabies-free province by 2015.

Negros Occidental has a total dog population of 209,446 and their target for vaccination is 70 percent. As of July, 106,305 dogs have already been vaccinated, Decena said.

PVO also conducted mass vaccination, stray dog impounding, prevention and control, and pre-exposure treatment to its personnel, he added.

Decena also appealed to all dog owners to be responsible for their animals to avoid accidents. He also said they can visit PVO and bring their dogs for check-ups and vaccinations.*LTG

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