Citation tickets for owners of pets

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City veterinarian Alice Utlang yesterday said starting next year they will require all barangays to have their own personnel who will issue citation tickets to irresponsible pet owners.

Utlang announced this before barangay officials in yesterday’s meeting at the HRD Training Room of City Hall’s Legislative Building.

At least two barangay employees assigned to issue citation tickets to dog owners failed to register their dog.

The strengthened monitoring of barangay workers came following reports that a girl in the mountain barangay of Toong died of rabies in November. In August, a 16-year-old girl in barangay Busay also died of rabies.

Utlang said the barangay personnel will issue citation tickets to dog owners who failed to register and vaccinate their pets.

Cebu City ordinance 2238 requires a mandatory yearly dog registration and vaccination. Violators, Utlang said, will be fined P2,000.

Utlang urged barangay officials to strengthen their anti-rabies program next year. A total of 5,000 dogs were registered in the city.

Starting February next year, Utlang said they will train dog catchers in every barangay.

Cebu City Councilor Ronald Cuenco is also planning to pass an ordinance requiring residents to castrate their pets which are not for breeding.

“I think nindot ni nga ordinansahon ni Councilor Cuenco para sab ma control nato ang population sa mga iro” Utlang added. — THE FREEMAN