DoT urges strong enforcement of ban against dogs in Boracay beach

The Department of Tourism (DoT) urges the local government to strongly enforce the banning of stray dogs at the front white beach in this resort island.

Tim Ticar, officer in charge of the DoT-Boracay, said Wednesday that the department has received complaints from both the tourists and residents about the rampant stray dogs seen at the front beach.

"These dogs not only cause disturbance to the resting tourists while at the same time destroy the vegetation areas. Previously, we also had recorded cases wherein a dog owner disclaimed his pet after it bite somebody," Ticar said.

The Department of Health has declared this resort island a rabies-free zone.

Earlier, the local government of Malay has organized dog catcher volunteers to catch stray dogs at the front beach.

Data from the Provincial Veterinarian Office bared that in 2013 the Aklan province has an estimated 48, 010 dog population. Of this data, only about 25,570 dogs received total vaccination or 53.26 percent.

Of the figure, Kalibo town has the most number of dogs with 6, 097 followed by Malay with 2, 286.