Dog microchipping suspension sought

August 29, 2020 Community Billboard

The City Council, during last Monday’s regular session, requested the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO) to suspend the ongoing mandatory microchipping of dogs in the city until such time that the prescribed implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the said purpose shall had been crafted.
Further, city legislators also requested the Committee on Laws to review pertinent provisions of Ordinance No. 60, series of 2020 that imposed the mandatory micro-chipping of dogs in the city taking into consideration the issues and concerns raised by hundreds of dog owners who alleged that implanting of microchips in dogs would have a negative effect to the health of man’s best friend like having tumors, among other health concerns.
City Veterinarian Dr. Bridget Piok said that the microchip implant will help in strengthening the city government’s campaign for responsible ownership aside from empowering barangay officials to monitor the dogs in their areas of jurisdiction.
Dog owners belonging to the Baguio Against Mandatory Microchipping recognized that microchipping has its own advantages because when a dog is lost, it will be easy for the owner to locate his lost pet because the needed information is programmed in the chip.
However, the responsible dog owners expressed fear that some dogs, particularly small breeds and young pups, may have adverse reactions to microchipping as studies abroad showed that microchips implanted under the animal’s skin can cause serious health problems even leading to death.
Dexter A. See