“We do what we can to help, but that is the law,” he said.
His critics, he added, have been getting a lot of attention in the media and are demanding immediate action, but they do not understand that his office cannot pick up stray dogs without a safe place to put them.
Tudela said they need to have a suitable place for stray animals because that is the humane thing to do.
“It is as simple as that, and that takes money,” he added.
The mayor said his office is now setting up a temporary holding fenced area in Lower Base until funds can be appropriated for the construction of the permanent site in Kagman.
“This issue of controlling stray dogs and the need for a suitable shelter must be resolved,” he said.
Tudela said lack of funding is the main issue which finger-pointing cannot change.
The Saipan legislative delegation “must provide funds to build the shelter so we can control stray dogs as soon as possible,” he added.
When the new facility is completed, Tudela said he is planning to implement a dog neutering program to help control the dog population on island.
In addition, Tudela has asked the Saipan delegation to amend the current dog control law to include stray cats which are also becoming a public nuisance.
He said during these difficult financial times when the government has limited funds, it is also important for every dog owner to be a responsible citizen.
“Every dog owner must be responsible for his or her dog. If an animal is not restrained and becomes a public nuisance, something must be done about it, but the final burden of responsibility rests with the owner.”
The mayor is urging all dog owners to restrain their animals in their own property while funds are identified to begin construction for the animal shelter project.
