The local government here — through its City Veterinary Office — announced on Tuesday that it is beefing up its anti-rabies control efforts after recording over 2,000 dog bites this year.

City Veterinary officer Samantha Josephine Licudine disclosed that a massive anti-rabies vaccination is ongoing and a new animal pound is set to open in Barangay Camangaan here in early January.

"Rabies is a very fatal disease, especially if it is not addressed or if a person bitten by a rabid dog was not vaccinated. We already have two confirmed deaths in Laoag," Licudine said.

As of this month, the Laoag City Health Office has recorded over 2,000 animal bite cases, most of which involved stray dogs and Licudine said the CHO provides free anti-rabies shots for animal bite victims who are residents of Laoag City.

Starting in January, Licudine said the City Veterinary Office, in cooperation with village officials, will start to capture stray dogs around the city. The new animal pound can provide shelter to 70 stray dogs at a time.

A small clinic will also be established near the animal pound to provide consultation for minimal illnesses.