Seeing the team catching loose dogs in Hiep Binh Chanh ward (Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City) on patrol, many owners asked to pay a fine to immediately bring the dog back.
This is the first specialized team to catch loose dogs established in Ho Chi Minh City, to ensure safety for pedestrians and the urban landscape.
The team regularly organizes patrols in public areas and densely populated roads, rounding up loose dogs in the area.
The establishment comes from people’s feedback and the plan of Thu Duc City People’s Committee on preventing rabies in animals for the period 2022-2030.
According to Mr. Mai Hoang Tien (Hiep Binh Chanh ward), the team will officially operate from November 2023. To date, the team has captured more than 200 loose dogs.
When patrolling, team members carry specialized tools, approach and capture dogs running loose on the street without muzzles.
Mr. Ninh Van Hieu (deputy leader of the patrol team) was rounding up a ferocious dog with signs of rabies on the afternoon of April 4. Immediately afterwards, the whole team had to use disinfectant spray to clean.
All members of the team have been trained and equipped with skills to recognize rabid dogs and capture them. They were also vaccinated many times.
A resident sobbed when his dog was rounded up. She repeatedly asked to let the dog go and promised not to let the dog loose again.
After being explained, the dog owner agreed to let the patrol team take the dog away and pay the fine the next day. Before “breaking up”, the woman hugged her pet dog tightly and asked the team to take care of it.
When some people saw the force rounding up their dogs, they rushed to stop them, wanting to pay a fine to bring the dog back immediately.
However, according to regulations, to receive the pet back, the owner must present the dog’s vaccination book and pay a fine according to regulations. The fine is 400,000 VND for loose dogs and 1.5 million VND for not wearing a muzzle or leash for the dog.
In case the vaccination book cannot be presented, the owner must register for vaccination and pay a fine before being able to bring the dog home.
After catching the dog, members of the patrol team will take turns numbering, taking photos, and pinning the location to notify the owner to identify them.
Many people hold their dogs tightly when the patrol passes by.
Witnessing the team working to catch loose dogs, many people agreed and supported. They expressed that letting dogs roam free not only causes unsanitary residential areas but is also extremely dangerous if they bite people.
The captured dog was brought to the temporary detention location at the Military Command of Hiep Binh Chanh ward and received full care.
After 48 hours, if no one comes to claim the dog, the dog will be handed over to the agricultural secondary school or veterinary unit for scientific research or treatment according to regulations.
