KALIBO, Aklan – To enhance the implementation of animal welfare laws in the province, policemen from Aklan Police Provincial Office will be trained on Animal Welfare Laws on May 11 at Camp Pastor Martelino in New Buswang here.

Senior Supt. Cornelio Defensor, director, APPO, said the seminar is part of the PNP's order to support the Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF).

AKF, which will spearhead the project, is a local affiliate of the International Wildlife Coalition Trust based in the United Kingdom.

"The LOI (letter of instruction) sets forth PNP operational guidelines to support the AKF, the Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Bureau of Animal Industry for inter-agency coordination effort to promote public awareness on animal welfare in the country and to develop international recognition towards the government," Defensor added.

As one of the implementing agencies, PNP-Aklan also commits to ensure the proper implementation of RA 8485 and RA 9482 or the Anti-Rabies Law and other related laws requiring police operations, Defensor said.

To be discussed are responsible pet ownership, health hazards of eating dog meat, animal welfare laws, including the anti-rabies law.

Aklan is currently aiming to be a rabies-free province by 2015, and is sustaining its dog-vaccination programs throughout the province with the help of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

As of April 30, a total of 3,182 dogs had been vaccinated in Aklan.*PIA