Dead animals pose safety and health hazards to motorists and pedestrians, Kimo Rosario, a special adviser of Mayor Donald G. Flores, said yesterday.
He said although the mayor is aware that Public Law 6-37 designates “the Department of Public Safety with the responsibility of removing and disposing of dead animals found on public roads or highways, the mayor’s office nevertheless will assume this responsibility to ensure the safety and health of the Saipan community.”
However, Rosario said, they will be cautious in the proper disposal of dead animals.
“We can’t just dispose of these dead animals anywhere,” he said. “The issue here is where to dispose them.”
He said after communicating with a Division of Environmental Quality official, he was advised that the Marpi landfill is an appropriate place to dispose of these carcasses.
“Now that the proper place for disposal has been identified and deemed appropriate by DEQ, the mayor’s office can move forward in removing these dead animals from roads and thoroughfares,” Rosario added.
He said members of the community are encouraged to report any dead animal located on the roads and highways to the mayor’s office.
While the mayor has no task force charged with taking care of this specific task, there are personnel ready for dispatch to pick up and dispose these dead animals, Rosario said.
Last week, he said they responded to a call from a concerned citizen about a dog that was struck by a car.
He said they referred the case to the Pet Assistance and Welfare Services and the mayor’s office was later advised to get a veterinarian to treat the injured dog.
The primary concern of the mayor’s office, Rosario said, is implementing the stray dog control program.
“Our utmost priority is the establishment of the facility,” Rosario said, referring to the construction of an animal shelter.
He said the mayor and Department of Public Lands Secretary John Del Rosario have yet to meet to discuss the designation of an area in Lower Base where the facility is planned to be erected.
The mayor’s office, Rosario added, will also work closely with PAWS in the design of the facility.
The mayor will appoint village representatives, who will coordinate village meetings for the purpose of educating and informing the public about the stray dog control program as well as other programs and projects the mayor plans to undertake, Rosario said.
