PAWS

Question:

My dog (or my neighbor's dog) was caught and was taken to the

pound! Is this right? What do I do?

(Hinuli yung aso ko, may karapatan ba silang kunin yung aso ko? Dun lang naman siya sa labas ng gate namin.)



Answer:

Owners whose pets were caught roaming the streets or public places should claim their pets immediately. The holding period of dogs in the pound vary depending on the city (from 24 hours to 3 days to 1 week). Dogs that are not claimed within the holding period are supposed to be humanely euthanized. Yes, there will be a fee to pay to claim your dog, but paying that fee is better than paying with your dog's life.

Under RA9482: The Anti Rabies Act, dog catchers and employees of the city pound are authorized to catch strays and/or loose dogs running around in public using humane methods. They may also catch dogs out in public that are not under the control and supervision of their owner (i.e., owned dog allowed to roam the streets without a leash and without his owner, owned dog is just outside owner's gate but with no leash).

People can write to the City Mayor directly as the City Pound is under the Health Services Department of the LGU if they want to make a formal complaint on any of the following issues re: dog catchers employed by the City:

1. manner of catching (inhumane) - violates RA8485 The Animal Welfare Act
2. disrespectful demeanor of dog catchers


We would like to remind everyone to please keep your pets on leash when in public places, regardless of size or of training. Not only is this a responsible thing to do, it is also a requirement stated in the RA9482: Anti Rabies Act. Please download it here for your reference (in PDF format): RA9482 Anti Rabies Act of 2007

Please also keep your pets indoors and/or make sure your home/yard/lot is properly fenced to prevent your pets from running out of your home and being injured by vehicles or picked up by dogcatchers or dog meat traders.

It is your responsibility to keep them safe from harm and to keep them from harming others.

• If you have firsthand knowledge that the city pound is not practicing humane methods for euthanizing the unclaimed dogs, please provide the name, address and contact number of person-in-charge of said pound by emailing philpaws@yahoo.com Please also provide your name and contact number in your email.
  

• If you have firsthand knowledge that the dog catchers or persons in the city pound are abusing or killing the dogs they have caught, please refer to HOW TO REPORT ANIMAL CRUELTY and submit your witness affidavit to philpaws@yahoo.com. Please also provide your name and contact number in your email.

Nicole Mangondato

I know it's for the safety of everybody pero kung ganito ang situation tama pa ba kaya?

Just this morning, people from the QC ANIMAL POUND came to our subdivision here in East Fairview, Quezon City and caught some stray dogs roaming our subdivision. Ito ang masaklap: my neighbor (who owns a sari-sari store here) has a dog. Nung nagbebenta sya, her dog was just in front of their store then suddenly, nakita ng pet owner na kinukuha yung aso nya! She tried to call the dog catcher's attention, pero tinakbuhan pa sya and acted as if he didn't hear anything! They ran off with her dog :(

I am APPEALING to you guys to please help me spread the word hangga't sa makarating to sa mga taga-QC ANIMAL POUND because itong mga hinayupak na manghuhuli, pinigilan mo na nga pero go parin.

When I saw this horrible scene, I was walking my own dog. I immediately took him inside the house kasi medyo unstable na yung dog chain ng dog ko, baka kumalas sya bigla and huliin ng mga walang pusong mama na yun.

Please help. Thank you

 
Ted Teodoro

Above everything else, your neighbor must hurry to the QC dog pound and reclaim her dog before it is put to death. She's got three days to do this, if my memory does not fail me.

If she is so lucky as to get her dog back, next time, put a leash on that dog so that the dog catchers who are acting on Anti-Rabies Act do not consider her dog as a stray dog. Dogs that are not leashed are fair game to the dog catchers, and they will not heed to excuses, sad stories, or plaintive cries. Gotto leash those dogs lest the dog catchers show up.


Nicole Mangondato

Thanks Ted. I have not spoken to our neighbor yet, but I think since her nephew works at the QC Hall, he might claim the dog anytime. I am keeping my fingers crossed though that they will still claim this poor dog. I can't stand the thought of these animals being put to death. :((

Ted Teodoro

Well, for sure, unclaimed dogs will be put down. If your neighbor truly cares for her dog, then she should be in the process of claiming her dog. I hope it isn't too late.

If you google the Anti-Rabies Act, you will see that it is very strict on pet owners. As I recall, the act disallows dogs to wander free in any neighborhood, or else...you mentioned holding on to your dog's leash. So, you are doing the right thing and it would be wrong for the dogcatchers to take your dog away. BTW, have you considered expressing your concerns to your mayor? From what I heard, the way they string up the dogs that they catch is particularly brutal...

Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)

Nicole, what Ted posted above is right.

People can write to the QC Mayor directly as the City Pound is under the Health Services Department of the LGU if they want to make a formal complaint on any of the following issues re- dog-catchers employed by the City:
1. manner of catching (inhumane)
2. disrespectful demeanor of dog-catchers

Stray dogs/cats are the responsibility of the city pound or municipality who should catch the animals humanely. As mentioned in the Anti Rabies Act of 2007, owned dogs/cats are the responsibility of their owner, who should keep their pets within their property (indoors or in their properly enclosed yard) or on leash at all times when in public areas. Owners whose loose pets have been caught should claim their pets immediately. Unclaimed animals will be humanely euthanized.

You may download the Anti Rabies Act from this link: http://tinyurl.com/AntiRabiesAct2007

Please do share the information with your neighbor.

Arnie Irene Asuncion Baclayon

My dog had been caught by the city dog pound here in valenzuela when she was 2 months old she's still little, now my dog doesn't wanna be leash and tied up it's like she feels like she's gonna be caught again , she 's really scared when i tie her so i can bath her, she keeps on crying ,she is so scared that she always pee when she see me and knows that i have to put a leash on her. Do they have to take puppies too?

Ted Teodoro

Hi Arnie, my interpretation of the law (Anti-Rabies Act) is that there are no exceptions in regards to age. All dogs out on the street must be leashed or else it will be judged as a stray and fair game. I think this is the safest interpretation, safest for you and the dog. I don't think the dog-catcher will put any weight on your pleas for help because the dog is only a puppy. When outside with your dog, always be in control. Leash your dog.

Arnie Irene Asuncion Baclayon

Thank you!!! I just think that puppies shouldn't be caught because they are so little and then they tied the puppies on the neck and hang until its inside the cage, so cruel!!!

Chris Mercado

may nakita rin akong mga nahuli na aso. dumaan sa harap ko ang makati city dog pound. nakita ko ung mga kawawang aso na nakakulong, very heart breaking, kc mga asong walang malay na hindi nila alam kung san ba sila dadalhin. may napanood ako sa tv na lugar na pag hindi natubos ng may-ari, euthanasia na ung aso.

Ted Teodoro

The thing is, Arnie, it's better to take preventive measures than to get involved in a discussion/argument with the dogcatcher. I am all for leashing all dogs that are out in a public place and also for the owners to curb their dog. It's just responsible pet ownership. The dogcatchers don't have a chance against responsible dog owners, and we should keep it that way.

Li Ascalon

QC pounds kill the dogs every Friday afternoon so should you or your neighbors need to retrieve your dog, do so as early as possible. Pls. go to the QC city hall first to register before going directly there.

To everyone: if you're going to your local pound to retrieve your dog/s, pls. bring some food and water already, and if possible, kindly bring extra for the other dogs as well. :-(

the conditions at the pounds are extremely heartbreaking and difficult to watch, but let this not be just another sad story to turn away from and forget. One visit may haunt and disturb you for days and nights but it can be your opportunity to help several dogs by doing your share in your local pound.

Find out and observe what they need, what the DOGS NEED rather. And find a way to gather and turn over these items.

Nicole Mangondato

This is so heartbreaking to read, how much more to SEE. :(

• Please keep your pets on leash when in public places, regardless of size or of training.
• Please keep your pets indoors or make sure your home/yard/lot is properly fenced to prevent your pets from running out of your home and being injured by vehicles or picked up by dogcatchers or dog meat traders.
  
  It is your responsibility to keep them safe from harm and to keep them from harming others.