In Davao City, ‘askals’ face lethal injection

DAVAO CITY—Stray dogs in this city, known in local lingo as “askals,” will be eliminated through lethal injection in a city government campaign to stop the spread of rabies.

Cerelyn Pinili, city veterinarian, said stray dogs would be put to sleep by injecting poison into them.

Teams would be sent to roam the city to catch stray dogs and impound them. Dogs that are not claimed after three days would be put to sleep, said Pinili.

What Pinili called intracardial injection, a method of putting dogs to sleep, is an ethical way of getting rid of dogs that is accepted by groups advocating protection of animal rights, said Pinili.

The city had been relentless in its campaign to free streets of stray dogs to rid the city of an increasing number of rabies cases.

In January alone, the city veterinarian office recorded three rabies cases. Last year, 16 rabies cases were recorded among dogs impounded by the veterinarian’s office. The city is charging P250 per dog for those who would claim their pets.

The veterinarian’s office catches an average of 40 dogs a day. Pinili said the teams impounded at least 3,277 dogs last year. In the last two months, Pinili said, the teams are focusing on Buhangin District because the most rabies cases last year were reported from this area. Ayan Mellejor, Inquirer Mindanao