A resolution requesting the City Veterinary Office through the Office of the City Mayor to shed light on the issue of the cruel, irregular and unethical treatment of stray animals at the Bacolod City Pound, was approved by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod Wednesday.

The resolution authored by Councilor Claudio Puentevella, said a picture of caged dogs on the social media network with the label “Stop the killing of dogs in the Bacolod City Pound. Mayor Puentevella allows us to adopt dogs!” drew numerous reactions from dog lovers.

It said City Ordinance No. 184, series of 1997 or “An ordinance approving rabies eradication, prevention and control program of Bacolod City” and City Ordinance No. 544, series of 2011, or “An ordinance establishing dog-owners’ responsibility, requiring enclosures or fenced-in yard for pet dogs as preventive measure against occurrence of rabies injury, damage and other hazards”, have already been force and effect.

The resolution said that under these laws, stray dogs that were caught will be placed at the dog pound in the City Veterinary Office for adoption. Otherwise, they will be exterminated humanely.

The resolution added that stray dogs as practiced were euthanized by unethical and painful means. There are other most humane options of putting to sleep stray animals that were caught and impounded by the local government office.

During his meeting with different stakeholders, many expressed interest to help by donating food or by adopting some of the dogs at the dog pound. They will also try to ensure that those who want to adopt dogs are responsible pet owners, Puentevella said.

He also said there were several proposals presented to them and one thing they are considering is to come up with a memorandum of agreement between the city and the different groups who have expressed interest to adopt dogs.*CGS

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