BAGUIO CITY, Philippines - More than 10,000 dogs in this mountain resort city will be given free anti-rabies vaccines by the city government to reduce the exposure of the public to rabies infection, if bitten by rabid dogs. The massive anti-rabies vaccination in the city's 128 barangays is part of the local government's campaign to achieve a rabies-free community local residents and visitors alike. Dr. Brigit Piok, city veterinarian, said the vaccines were donated by concerned government agencies and cause-oriented groups that want the city to be free from roaming rabid dogs. around.
The city veterinary's office is urging dog owners to bring their pets to its compound at the Slaughterhouse Compound to avail of the free anti-rabies vaccination. In order to reach more targets, the city veterinary office is scheduling mass vaccinations in the different barangays so that dog owners will have their pets vaccinated to ensure their safety and to prevent rabies from claiming lives of innocent individuals. The free vaccines will be given out on a first come, first served basis so that dog owners will have their pets vaccinated soonest. At the same time, the city government is empowering the barangays to make their places free from rabies by passing ordinances penalizing those who will not have their dogs vaccinated and those who refuse to register their dogs to the registration. One of the criteria in judging rabies-free barangays is the existence of barangay ordinances that require registration and vaccination of dogs and the non-occurrence of rabies incidents in their respective places. Individuals who are bitten by rabies dogs could eventually die if they are not immediately given immediate medical attention by concerned health authorities. (Dexter See)
