Iloilo City veterinarian decides to retire amid dog ‘mercy killing’ issue

Iloilo City Veterinarian Dr. Tomas Forteza Jr. has decided to retire from government service amid the dog euthanasia or “mercy killing” issue.

In a press conference on Monday, August 18, Mayor Jerry Treñas disclosed that he was informed by Forteza about his retirement last week through a letter.

“Nagpadala siya sulat sa akon last week nga asta nalang sya December 2022,” Treñas told reporters.

Earlier this month, the City Legal Office (CLO) recommended the filing of administrative charges against Forteza for carrying out euthanasia on 11 stray dogs from Barangay Navais, Mandurriao district.

Forteza, according to lawyers Joseph Edward Areño and Lloni Viterbo of CLO, “failed to prove by evidence that the said dogs killed were dangerous, suffering from pain or discomfort, or diagnosed with a disease.”

“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.