Cynthia Villar floats ‘population control’ for stray animals

Feeding stray dog. (File photo courtesy of HYACINTH LUMAGBAS / Facebook)

MANILA, Philippines — Like human beings, the population of stray dogs and cats is growing and needs to be controlled, according to Senator Cynthia Villar.

Villar mentioned the possibility of  implementing “population control” for stray animals when the Senate committee on agriculture tackled on Wednesday several proposal that seek to strengthen the country’s animal welfare law.

Presiding over the hearing as head of the panel, the senator expressed concern over the growing population of  stray animals which, she said, “are mainly a human health hazard, because of the spread of diseases such as rabies, leptospirosis and other parasites.”

The senator cited a recent report that pegged the number of stray dogs and cats at 13 million.

This is why, she said, they have already started a free ”Libreng Kapon at Ligate” project for dogs and cats in the cities of Las Piñas and Bacoor.

“Because there are plenty stray dogs around and I’m afraid that they will bite the people,” Villar said during the hearing.

“Alam nyo, ang problema natin, marami tayong mahihirap and then, nanganak  ng marami yung kanilang mga dogs and cats. Ang sabi a cat is capable of bringing 12 cats a year and dog daw, mga 4?”

(You know, our problem, we have many poor people, and then their dogs and cats give birth to many. It’s said that a cat is capable of producing 12 kittens a year, and a dog, about 4?)

“So, pag mahirap at nanganak yung cat nila ng 12, at yung dog nila 4, ano naman ang ipapakain nila dun? So they become stray dogs and they are all around,” she pointed out.

(So, if they’re poor and their cat gives birth to 12 kittens, and their dog has four puppies. What will they feed them? That’s why they become stray dogs and they are all around.)

Worse, she said, is when someone dies after contracting rabies from stray dogs.

This recently happened to a 13-year-old who died after contracting rabies from a dog bite months before.

“So, thats our problem so dapat para ring mga tao, we do population control especially for the poor kasi they won’t have money to feed the dogs and cats born out of their dogs and cats…” Villar said.

Senator Grace Poe, meanwhile, inquired if there have been sufficient animal welfare  programs in place and if communities, especially in rural areas, have adequate access to quality veterinary healthcare services.

Poe, one of those pushing for stricter measures against animal cruelty, noted a reported shortage of veterinary personnel in smaller municipalities.

“And even cities that have veterinarians have to contend with inadequate resources,” she said in her opening statement.

According to Poe, her proposed  legislation — Senate Bill No. 2458 — would improve the capacity of the Department of Agriculture in addressing animal welfare issues.

She is suggesting the formation of a proper bureau for this purpose which would be given sufficient budget and permanent personnel.

“With the help of all stakeholders, I am sure we can come up with a law enabling the creation of a society where we can co-exist harmoniously with those beings which have provided us with much love and loyalty,” she said.

NOTE: The English translations in the article were AI-generated.