The local government unit of Loboc has issued a directive to have stray dogs killed by shooting in a bid to clear roads of dangers brought by “ownerless” or abandoned canines.
According to PO3 Ervin Molina, police are allowed to kill wandering dogs without owners by shooting as mandated by a municipal ordinance.
Daily monitoring across the town will be conducted to find and take custody of stray dogs, said Molina.
Dogs that are unclaimed several days after capture will be shot to death.
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As stipulated in the ordinance, only .22 caliber pistols are allowed to be used in the execution of these living animals.
Police noted that stray dogs pose danger to motorists as the said animals, at times, stay on roads used by speeding vehicles including motorcycles rented by tourists to explore the town.
The issue on stray dogs along various highways in the province has also been raised in other municipalities.
However, Loboc is the first to issue an order to have these animals killed by shooting.
According to Republic Act (RA) 8485, otherwise known as “The Animal Welfare Act of 1998,” the killing of any animal other than cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits, carabao, horse, deer and crocodiles is unlawful.
“It shall be unlawful for any person to torture any animal, to neglect to provide adequate care, sustenance or shelter, or maltreat any animals or to subject any dog or horse to dogfights or horse fights, kill or cause or procure to be tortured or deprived of adequate care sustenance or shelter, or maltreat or use the same in research or experiments not expressly authorized by the Committee on Animal welfare,” Section 6 of the RA reads.
However, the RA also states that the act may be allowed “when it is done to prevent an imminent danger to the life or limb of a human being” and “when done for the purpose of animal population control.” (Allen Doydora)