City veterinarian to face raps over ‘mercy killing’ of stray dogs

The Iloilo City Government’s Legal Office has recommended the filing of administrative charges against city veterinarian Dr. Thomas Forteza Jr. for carrying out euthanasia or “mercy killing” on 11 stray dogs.

Lawyers Joseph Edward Areño and Lloni Viterbo submitted their recommendation to the office of Mayor Jerry Treñas in Thursday, August 4.

According to the Legal Office, Forteza “failed to prove by evidence that the said dogs killed were dangerous, suffering from pain or discomfort, or diagnosed with a disease.”

“The policy of the state is not to outrightly euthanize stray dogs but to impound them, make them available for adoption, and only under exceptional situation, such as when they are found sick or rabid or vicious or some other justifiable purpose, that the law sanctions killing them, whether instantly or after observation period,” the lawyers said.

“In the absence of evidence and/or proper declaration by the City Health Office, Dr. Forteza’s claim of a ‘rabies emergency’ does not have any factual basis. Hence, the 11 dogs apprehended should have been impounded for three days,” they added.

Forteza admitted that his team conducted an operation in Barangay Navais, Mandurriao district last July 20 and performed euthanasia on 11 stray dogs, including five puppies.

According to the city veterinarian, he had no choice considering that “there were rampant stray dogs in the area, rabies victims at the adjacent barangay, and consistent positive cases for many years.”

Forteza also claimed that Republic Act 9482 or The Anti-Rabies Act “authorized him immediately euthanize” the apprehended stay dogs.