FATAL ROAD ACCIDENT. A man tries to carry the body of a woman who died in a road mishap after a stray dog dashed in front of their motorcycle on Feb. 16, 2021 in Naval, Biliran. The municipal government on Thursday (Feb. 18, 2021) has called for more responsible pet ownership after the incident. (Photo courtesy of Ross Arabyana)
TACLOBAN CITY – The municipal government of Naval in Biliran province has called for more responsible pet ownership after a female motorcycle rider died in a road mishap due to a dog that has gone astray.
Naval Mayor Gerard Espina, in a statement on Thursday, asked residents to be responsible dog owners to protect not only their pets but the road users as well.
Espina made the call after a female rider died in a road crash in Larrazabal village on Feb. 16. The police identified the victim as Genelyn Dedal, 41, a resident of P. I. Garcia village.
She was riding on a motorcycle driven by her husband when a dog dashed across in front of their motorcycle.
The dog hit the front wheel, causing the accident that sent Dedal skidding on the ground.
The victim died right after the incident while her husband suffered multiple injuries.
The dog, whose owner remained unidentified, was unharmed.
“Calling all pet owners to be responsible enough to leash your pets. Astray animals-related vehicular accidents and casualties will continue if pet owners will be irresponsible,” Espina added.
The town mayor has ordered village officials to enforce the order.
Espina said they will deploy more dog catchers or animal control officers to impound stray animals.
Under Republic Act (RA) 9482 or the Anti-Rabies Act, any dog out on the streets and public areas, and not on-leash are immediately considered strays (including those wearing collars) and may be caught and impounded by authorized dog catchers and animal control officers in the interest of public health and safety.
Dog catchers and animal control officers under RA 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act must still use humane treatment when apprehending stray animals. (PNA)
