Caloocan City vet searches for owner of abandoned dogs

The Caloocan City Veterinary Office is searching for the owner of the dogs that were abandoned near a school and an eatery in the city.

According to Oscar Oida’s report in “24 Oras” on Friday, the workers in the nearby eatery at BF Homes 1, Barangay 169 in North Caloocan said the residents first noticed the dogs last Sunday.

“Nasa isip lang po namin ‘yun na iniwan po sila kasi hindi nawawala kahit yung isa sa kanila,” a resident said.

(We’re thinking that they could have been abandoned as a group because they always stick together.)

The poor health of the dogs was evident as one of them is limping and most of them keep on scratching.

The abandoned dogs seek shelter underneath parked vehicles in the area.

Residents believe the dogs could have been abandoned by a shelter that can no longer care for them.

“May nag-report lang na mayroon daw isang sasakyan na nagbaba ng mga aso. Iniwan na doon, inabandona,” said Joji De Guzman, Barangay 169 North Caloocan executive officer.

(Someone reported that a car dropped off the dogs. They were left there and abandoned.)

The barangay is coordinating with the City Veterinary Office regarding mapping out a plan to rescue the abandoned dogs.

“Ang Caloocan, mayroon kaming animal pound licensed ng Bureau of Animal Industry. Mayroon kaming five days keeping period,” said Veterinary City Health officer Ted Rosales.

(In Caloocan, we have an animal pound licensed by the Bureau of Animal Industry. We have a five-day keeping period.)

“Binibigyan namin ng tyansa ‘yung, kung mayroong owner na makuha pa, ma-redeem ‘yung animals. Kung sakaling wala talagang mag-adopt, pinu-push namin for adoption,” Rosales added.

(We give owners a chance to reclaim or redeem their animals. If no one adopts them, we then push for adoption.)

The City Veterinary Office assured that it would hold accountable anyone behind leaving the dogs on the streets and fend for themselves.

“Puwede talagang kasuhan ‘yan base doon sa ating Animal Welfare Act, ‘yung abandonment of animals. Mayroon pong penalty ‘yan na six months to one year and may fine na P30,000,” said Rosales.

(They can definitely be charged based on our Animal Welfare Act, specifically for abandonment of animals. There's a penalty for that of six months to one year in prison and a fine of P30,000.)

While awaiting for assistance from the authorities, the residents take it upon themselves to care for the dogs. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News