WITHOUT a dog shelter due to lack of funds, Rota will have to euthanize impounded dogs, according to Jim Atalig, chair of the Rota Municipal Council.
“We will do it in the most humane way,” he added in an online interview Tuesday.
Atalig said Rota is already “overpopulated” with stray dogs which may pose a risk to visitors.
Impounded dogs are brought to a kennel in Sinapalo and, if they are unregistered, an owner will pay $5 to claim his or her pet.
Atalig said they need at least $10,000 to operate a dog shelter.
“We want to protect the people and our natural resources such as wildlife,” he said. “The dogs prey on the Sambar deer. Farmers are also affected as the dogs eat their chickens,” he added.
He said owners should be responsible for their dogs. “Don’t just dump them on the street or leave the puppies by themselves,” Atalig said.
Under Rota Local Law 18-7, which was enacted in 2013, the application for registering and licensing of all dogs shall be made with the Rota Municipal Council.
The council staff “shall register all dogs, collect licensing fees, issue dog licenses, and enforce and carry out the intent of this [law].”
The law also states that “any unlicensed and unclaimed dogs shall be destroyed by the Rota Municipal Council using the most humane procedure or means reasonably available.”
