"We respect the welfare of animals, but we value most the welfare of humans. The (shoot-to-kill) order is only the ‘last resort,’" Superintendent Pedro Ubaldo, the town’s police chief, told The STAR.
"But before we (carry out) the final option, we will first try to talk with (the dogs’) owners to catch them. But if they cannot catch (the dogs), we will help them. But if we cannot catch them ourselves, I guess we have to decide before (the dogs) could harm people," he added.
Ubaldo said three residents — two in Barangay Payocpoc and one in Barangay Taberna — have died of rabies.
Ubaldo said he raised the objections of certain residents to the order during a meeting, but town officials, including consultant on agriculture Ave Lomboy and municipal agriculturist Rebecca Sabado, agreed with the move.
"The majority agreed that we have to value most the lives of people than the lives of crazy dogs," said Ubaldo, who has 18 pet dogs.
Ubaldo said provincial veterinarians who visited the town also agreed with the shoot-to-kill order.
He said many townsfolk are violating the municipal ordinance against stray animals, especially dogs.