The Philippines is populated with many stray dogs. What's the solution? For one insane, crazy Cebu City Veterinarian it is for the people to coexist with them.
 |
| https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/620661/cebu-city-as-pet-friendly-vet-pushes-advocacy-for-stray-dogs |
Being recognized as one of the ‘pet-friendly’ cities in Asia was something the city’s veterinarian did not see coming.
Recently, Cebu City ranked second in the top 10 pet-friendly cities list of online travel platform Agoda.
According to Agoda, their list was based on the average number of accommodations that allow guests to bring in their pets.
"Fortunately, it was a surprise for me. I don't expect that there is a group that looks like they did a survey," Dr. Alice Utlang, head of the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) of the Cebu City Government.
Utlang, in an interview with the city’s Public Information Office, expressed that she truly did not expect the result, especially that it was only last January 15 when she posted that her goal for the city is to be a pet-friendly, where its residents coexist with roaming dogs.
Aside from that, she also wants the city to become a “rabies-free” city.
Utlang also wanted to strenghthen the department’s CNVR program or the Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return.
Utlang earlier said in a media interview that believes the healthy stray dogs should not be impounded nor punished.
Moreover, Utlang also praised Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia for fostering stray dogs at the City Hall, for example, ‘Pochie’ and the other aspins in the former vice mayor’s office—now mayor’s office.
She said that it is rare to have a government official who fosters a roaming dog inside the City Hall.
"I was inspired by what the Mayor did when he was still vice mayor, it is very rare for a government official, in a government facility or office, to have a dog, accept a dog rescued from the street, take care of it, feed it properly , and he became like an ambassador for roaming dogs. Very nice," Utlang said.
It was June last year when Utlang reiterated their advocacy that they will no longer impound healthy stray dogs.
How stupid this woman? First of all Cebu City has been named a pet-friendly city not because of the way residents treat animals but "based on the average number of accommodations that allow guests to bring in their pets." It has nothing to do with her advocacy.
Second of all this lady thinks residents should "coexist with roaming dogs." Dr. Alice says the city will no longer impound healthy stray dogs. At the same time she wants Cebu City to become rabies-free. How can she not know that allowing stray dogs to roam will only increase rabies cases.
Not only will rabies cases increase but stray dogs give birth to more stray dogs. That only compounds the problem.
And what is a healthy roaming dog? They all eat trash. They all dump in the road and on sidewalks. There is nothing healthy about a stray dog. They are one bite away from becoming infected with rabies or some other disease which they can spread to humans and animals. Who is going to clean up their poop? This lady thinks residents should simply coexist with stray dogs and their mess. Unbelievable.
Thirdly her inspiration, the Mayor, rescued a dog from the street and is taking care of it properly. That is the exact opposite of allowing stray dogs to roam the streets.
Dr. Alice Utlang, should not be head of the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries of the Cebu City Government. She should be fired and someone who wants to keep the animals and people of Cebu City safe should take her place. Advocating for residents to coexist with roaming dogs is not a solution and only exacerbates the problem.
No comments:
Post a Comment