By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) is presently conducting a massive vaccination campaign for all dogs as part of an anti-rabies program.

In a radio interview yesterday, PVO head, Dr. Renante Decena, said they are hoping to vaccinate at least 70 percent of the 170,000 dogs in Negros Occidental by or before June.

Decena said the program is being conducted in response to tests conducted by the PVO that showed 14 dogs in the province tested positive for rabies.

Records also revealed one of the dogs reportedly bit nine people in Silay City last week.

Among other areas with confirmed rabies cases include Bacolod City, Bago City, Kabankalan City, Cauayan, Candoni, EB Magalona, and Ilog.

In response to a recent viral video showing the sale and slaughter of dogs for food, which reportedly took place in Hinigaran’s Barangay Gargato, Decena warned that eating local dogs can be deadly since Negros Occidental is currently classified a “rabies high-risk area.”/DGB, WDJ