City Councilor: Barangays are supposed to provide temporary shelter

In response to the proposal calling for the rounding up stray dogs across Iloilo City and putting them to sleep, Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said he has not yet been consulted on the matter and said the proposal needs to be reviewed.
“I have not been consulted about that proposal,” the mayor affirmed in an interview with the City Hall press yesterday. “I was surprised that was announced without consultation.”
“Waay ko pa gani naistoya si [Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon] kag mga konsehal (I have not talked about it with the vice mayor nor the city council),” he added. “We will have to think that out very carefully.”
Earlier, Iloilo City veterinarian, Dr. Tomas Forteza, announced his office would be rounding up stray dogs and putting them to sleep.
Aside from humans, stray dogs are often blamed for the destruction of plants across the city.
It was previously reported, a change.org petition was set up calling for an end to the “mercy killing” of stray dogs in Iloilo City.
“These stray dogs are suffering everyday on the streets, either by hunger, maltreatment, or abuse,” the petition noted. “These dogs deserve a second chance at a better life.”
“Be the voice for these stray dogs who cannot speak for themselves,” the petition added.
As of 6:20 p.m. last night, the number of signatures surpassed 7,650.
With regard to managing stray animals, Iloilo City Councilor Jay Treñas pointed out, according to Iloilo City Regulation Ordinance No. 2018-024, which created the Iloilo City Pound, barangays are supposed to provide temporary holding facilities for stray animals.
He believes implementation of the ordinance will help control the stray animal population in the city.
Meanwhile, the mayor said he is currently looking to provide the City Veterinary Office with a vehicle, along with space to establish a formal dog pound.
“We will work on this slowly so that we will be able to come up with a very good program,” he assured./WDJ