By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

EUTHANASIA can now be performed on suffering and abandoned animals in the CNMI.
Department of Land and Natural Resources Secretary Ignacio Dela Cruz yesterday said he has received the euthanasia materials he ordered recently.
Early this month, Dela Cruz got a license that allows him to purchase euthanasia drugs that can be used to “put down” very sick, severely debilitated or unwanted animals.
“So we are now ready to provide this service,” Dela Cruz said in an e-mail to Variety.
Mercy killing, however, will not apply to cats, he said.
The charge will be $10 to $20 per animal, and the owner will be responsible for disposing of the dog’s remains.
Dela Cruz said only a licensed veterinarian can get the controlled substance registration certificate from the Drug Enforcement Administration
On Saipan, scores of homeless animals, many of which are killed on the island’s roads, continue to be a problem.
The mayor’s office earlier announced that $75,000 was available for its kennel project in As Perdido.
Six contractors submitted bids for the construction of the shelter, but Mayor Juan B. Tudela said last week that the project will be delayed due to a requirement that needs to be met.
He declined to elaborate but said the bidding has been cancelled again.
“There are matters that still need to be discussed and considered,” he added.