The Lapu-Lapu City Veterinary Office (CVO) has issued a strong reminder to residents about the legal and moral responsibilities of owning a pet. This call to action comes in the wake of a distressing incident involving a stray dog, highlighting the ongoing challenges with animal control in the community.
Incident Prompts Renewed Call for Responsibility
The advisory was prompted by an event on December 11, 2025, in Barangay Babag. A stray dog named Whitey, which had no known owner but may have been previously owned, died from severe head trauma. The dog was allegedly struck multiple times by a 43-year-old man. The man explained he acted out of paternal instinct after Whitey chased his daughter, who had a prior history of being bitten by another dog.
A video of the incident later circulated online, drawing widespread public attention and concern from animal welfare advocates. In response, CVO Veterinarian II John Carlo Sumagang, in an interview on Friday, December 19, 2025, emphasized the obligations of pet owners under Republic Act 9482, the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007.
Sumagang stated that the law mandates owners to ensure the proper care, vaccination, and registration of their animals. Beyond these legal requirements, he stressed that owners must also keep their pets under control to prevent them from causing harm, nuisance, or disturbance to neighbors and the wider community.
How to Handle Stray Animals and Urgent Cases
Sumagang acknowledged that stray dogs remain a persistent issue across many areas of Lapu-Lapu City. He urged residents not to take matters into their own hands. Instead, the public can coordinate directly with the CVO, which is ready to assist residents and barangays in handling stray or unwanted dogs on the streets.
Animals that are collected undergo proper procedures, including rehabilitation, observation, and potential adoption. Other lawful means of disposition are followed in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act and the Anti-Rabies Act.
For urgent cases, particularly during office hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., animal control officers are dispatched immediately. Incidents involving dog bites or animals suspected of rabies require prompt action. Such animals are impounded and placed under observation to mitigate risk and alleviate community fears.
CVO Resumes Barangay Animal Control Training
The CVO also detailed its efforts to build capacity for humane animal control at the local level. Training programs for animal handlers in barangays and subdivisions had been initiated in 2021 or 2022 but were temporarily suspended. The halt was due to animal welfare issues during implementation and reports of alleged violations circulating online, which led the CVO to suspend the authority of certain groups to conduct operations.
Sumagang confirmed that retraining programs resumed in 2025. To date, Barangays Pusok, Pangan-an, and San Vicente already have trained personnel. The CVO plans to replicate this training program in other areas by 2026, aiming to standardize humane practices across the city.
The overarching message from the CVO is clear: responsible pet ownership is not just a kindness but a legal requirement. By working together with authorities and utilizing proper channels, the community can ensure both public safety and animal welfare.
