Humane treatment

It’s not a headline-grabber, but the Talisay city government’s decision to stop gassing stray dogs deserves mention if only to rationalize how the populace and local government units (LGUs) treat stray animals, who are what they are simply because they were created that way.

The decision to stop this practice, abhorrent even if one were not an animal rights activist, should spur Cebu’s local officials to devise better, daresay humane ways to manage the stray dog population.

This report came on the heels of the discovery of yet another King Cobra, this time female, in one hinterland Cebu City barangay. While a dangerous creature, its finders still managed to take it home, bathe it and feed it like they would perhaps any pet.

Its turnover to the Cebu City Zoo management ensures its survival though we doubt it would find it difficult to survive on its own being a deadly reptile in its own right. Suffice it to say that by keeping it in the zoo, experts can keep an eye on it so it doesn’t go around biting people even if only for self-defense.

Stray dogs are, unless infected by rabies or horribly disfigured as in the case of Kenneth the Talisay City dog, generally not as repulsive as snakes. They find ways to survive on their own even if only by scraping trash cans and the commercial refuse churned out by fast food and commercial outlets.

We can only hope that the small victory by animal activists and groups like the Cebu South Dogs Club Inc. (CSDC) in convincing Talisay City officials to stop the practice of tailpipe or “tambutso” gassing of stray dogs will be replicated in other parts of Metro Cebu.

“It takes 10 to 15 minutes. It’s so inhumane that you can hear the dogs crying their hearts out in the (tailpipe) chamber,” said CDSC president Guillam Roque. TV footage of the stray dogs being dragged out by their necks like dirty rugs out to be cleaned further reinforces this impression of cruelty.

There are better ways of controlling the stray canine population like neutering which is doubtless being practiced by the local veterinary offices. Even the police and the military have found success in tapping cross breeds for its drug and bomb detection and disposal operations.

Or, the local government can encourage its constituents to adopt a dog, giving them a constructive hobby and a loyal companion that will never talk back nor argue with them in exchange for their care.

These stray dogs, if young enough can even be used as guide dogs for the blind. There are lots of reasons to avoid having to dispose of stray dogs like infected cattle. We hope local officials have a lot more heart and exert more effort to keep them alive long enough for others to care for them.