Cebu's top 10 rabies-free brgys recognized

 CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama will distribute certificates of recognition on Monday to officials of 10 city barangays whom he admired for their efforts in their campaign to make their respective barangays rabies-free for the past five years.

Cebu City Veterinarian Alice Utlang encouraged the officials of Barangays Pulangbato, Kinasang-an, Kasambagan, Cogon-Ramos, Dulho-Fatima, San Nicolas Proper, San Jose, Buhisan, Guba and Poblacion Pardo to continue working hard to keep their barangays rabies-free.

The mayor will also give certificates of recognitions to nine volunteer dog vaccinators who showed their eagerness in helping the city’s dog vaccination program in different barangays even if they are not getting regular pay from the government.

While the mayor will give recognition to officials of the 10 barangays, he will also ask the officials of nine other barangays to work hard because there were dogs been found positive of rabies in their areas.

Utlang said what is most alarming is that all of these dogs that were found positive of rabies are not stray dogs but their owners failed to have them vaccinated with anti-rabies.

Those barangays found to have one dog found each positive of rabies include Barangays Apas, Bulacao, Basak Pardo, Guadalupe, Mabolo, Hipodromo, Pasil and Camputhaw, while two dogs in Sambag 2 were also found positive of rabies.

She reminded the public that Republic Act 9482 or the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 provides that dog owners shall be slapped with P2,000 fines for their failure to have their pet dogs registered and have them vaccinated.

The law also provides that in case the pet dogs bite a person, the owner can be charged in court. Once convicted, they will be fined P25,000 if they refuse to shoulder the expenses incurred by the victim for their vaccination.

Meanwhile, Utlang also announced yesterday that Councilor Ronald Cuenco already drafted an ordinance that will impose P5,000 fine to dog owners whose dogs will be found positive of rabies.

Utlang explained that rabies can be transmitted to dogs fighting with rabid dogs.

The law provides that dogs shall be tied with a leash if they will be brought outside their owners’ houses but most dog owners reportedly fail to comply.  (FREEMAN)