Barangay in Batangas offers 5 kilos of rice for every stray dog caught

Animal Kingdom Foundation questions if the reward might lead untrained locals to capture strays unsafely.

A reported barangay initiative in Tanauan City, Batangas, offering 5 kilos of rice for every stray dog caught and surrendered has drawn concern from animal welfare advocates over the risks of indiscriminate capture and possible animal cruelty.

The Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) raised the issue after a social media post by a person reportedly identified as a barangay officer in Barangay Balele showed a resident receiving rice after turning over a stray dog to the barangay hall.

The post reportedly said the resident received 5 kilos of rice in exchange for catching and surrendering a stray dog.

While controlling stray dogs is a public safety concern, AKF questioned whether the reported incentive could encourage residents to catch animals without proper training or safeguards.

The foundation warned that residents chasing or restraining dogs could suffer bites, injuries, or possible rabies exposure. Frightened dogs, meanwhile, could bite in self-defense, run into traffic, or sustain injuries. Owned pets could also be mistakenly caught and surrendered.

AKF said stray-dog control must comply with Republic Act 9482, or the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007, and Republic Act 8485, as amended by RA 10631, or the Animal Welfare Act.

The foundation clarified that offering rice as an incentive is not automatically illegal, but stressed that animal control measures should not put public safety or animal welfare at risk.

AKF said its team is looking into the report to verify the post and determine the circumstances surrounding the reported program.

The barangay’s official guidelines and the scope of the initiative have yet to be independently confirmed.

READ: