35 dogs at Muntinlupa pound up for adoption

LONELY POOCHES These dogs at the Muntinlupa City pound are looking for “furever” homes. —PHOTOS FROM PAWSSION PROJECT’S FACEBOOK PAGE

MANILA, Philippines — Amid furious reactions from netizens, the Office of the City Veterinarian (OCV) in Muntinlupa said that all of 35 dogs being kept at the city pound were alive and up for adoption.

Dr. Pamela Hernandez told the Inquirer on Wednesday that none of the dogs were scheduled to be put to sleep any time soon contrary on reports on social media.

However, she said that some of the dogs were due to be euthanized after a certain period because of public health reasons although a schedule had not been set.

A post about the dogs being put to sleep should they fail to be adopted by June 18 garnered almost 12,000 reactions, with netizens calling the OCV “inhumane.”

The OCV also denied a claim that it was killing the dogs by throwing them alive into a cremation machine.

At present, burying euthanized animals is the OCV’s means of disposal although its burial site was “slowly being saturated.” Cremation was being eyed to address the problem.

No burning of live animals

“It is the cadaver that is put inside the machine and not live dogs. OCV does not burn animals as a form of euthanasia,” Hernandez said.

Euthanasia of unclaimed animals is allowed under the City Veterinary Code (City Ordinance No. 17-080), which is in accordance with the Anti-Rabies Act (Republic Act No. 9482), under these conditions: When the animal is afflicted with incurable, communicable diseases such as rabies; when it is done to prevent an imminent danger to the life of a human being; and when done for the purpose of population control, among other reasons.

According to Hernandez, the city pound uses a sedative, anesthesia and magnesium sulfate to put a dog to sleep.

After being bombarded by criticism, the city veterinarian said that one good thing had come out as a result of the controversy.

“More and more people are becoming interested in adopting stray dogs in the city pound. Yesterday alone, at least three showed up and one pooch was sure to be adopted,” she added.

For those who want to adopt, the Muntinlupa Animal Pound is open from Mondays to Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For adoption inquiries and other information, the Muntinlupa OCV can be reached at 8623866 or 8622525 local 230.