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The Department of Health (DOH) yesterday encouraged dog owners to
have their pets injected with the anti-rabies vaccine as their
contribution to keep their community safer.
“We want to remind the public that pet owners
should be responsible for their pets’ actions since these pets can
affect the health of the people,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque
3rd said.
The Health department, which leads the
observation of the Rabies Awareness Month this March, stressed that
failing to register and vaccinate pet dogs against rabies is a
crime, since it is a violation of Republic Act 9482 or the
Anti-Rabies Act of 2007. Dog owners who fail to have their pets
vaccinated will be fined P2,000, while those who refuse to have
their pets put under observation after biting a victim shall be
fined P10,000.
Worse, those who will not shoulder the medical
expenses of their dog’s victim will have to pay a hefty P25,000.
“Dogs walking without their leash will already
cost the owner money, so dog owners should really watch their pets
closely to prevent their pets from infecting human beings with
rabies” Duque said.
“Dog owners should not be complacent when it
comes to threats such as rabies, even the most adorable-looking ones
could have it (rabies),” Duque added.
Rabies, a fatal viral disease affecting the
nervous system of humans and animals, accounts for 200 to 500 deaths
annually. Data from the Health department showed around 135,000 to
145,000 animal bites are reported every year and dogs are reportedly
responsible for 90 percent of these cases. In 2007, 55 percent of
the victims were males and 49 percent were under 15 years old. Most
of the cases were from Western Visayas, Central Luzon, Metro Manila,
Central Visayas and the Calabarzon area.
-- Rommel C. Lontayao
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