A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY ON STRAY DOGS AND HOW THEY AFFECT HUMAN SOCIETY AT INTRODUCTION

BARANGAY 6, CALBIGA, SAMAR

It’s true that in the Philippines there are a lot of dogs. According to Olivarez (2014), Southeast Asia’s biggest
dog owner is the Philippines, with the statistic showing that for every 8 people, there’s at least one pet dog. Each year, this
number grows significantly that there are almost 9 million households with at least one pet in the country. However, not all
dogs have owners and the main reason is because of abandonment, as stated by Pirnay (2014). Ranging from
underestimating the time needed to take care of it, the owner not being able to afford the necessities needed, medical
problems, lifestyle changes, behavioral problems and more. Compared to domestic dogs, stray ones tend to be more feral
A research proposal submitted to Balvin Quillotes
and aggressive since they have no owners and thus, aren’t correctly disciplined. While in the streets, they not only pose a
Dr. Vicente Orestes Romualdez Educational Foundation
threat to humans but also to themselves because they haven’t had any proper vaccinations and can transfer their diseases in
Senior High School Department
social settings. If ever they purposely or accidentally bite someone, it would cause a major problem for not only the humans
Tacloban City
but also to them and according to NCGS 130A-196: “If the owner cannot be identified within 72 hours of the event, the
local health director may authorize the animal be euthanized.”

A case study about 'Street Dog' Population Control by Anzuino (2013) had the authorities execute the ABC
programming as the researcher concluded that it has the potential to promote both dog and human welfare. The study
As partial fulfillment of the requirements
showed that the local municipality of the Jaipur, India had been supporting suggested plans on controlling the birth rate of
for Practical Research 1
stray dogs. An article written by Lyu (2015) states that there are many available options to consider in dealing with stray
dogs ranging from sheltering, neutering, rescue programs, vaccinating, and even euthanasia, however, these options cannot
effectively solve the stray dog problem. A research by Sternheim (2012) state discloses that Collect, Neuter, Vaccinate, and
Return (CNVR) program helps reduce the number of stray dogs which means street dogs and dogs without any owners by
collecting, sterilizing, vaccinating the dogs then taking it back to where they had come from.

Submitted by
This study will focus on how the residents are faring with the dogs that are freely roaming around in the streets
Trisha Fatima Senora
of the barangay. Interviews and surveys from the people that reside in Barangay 6, Calbiga, Samar, will be conducted as
there is a need to know how the residents deal with the problem. With this, we hope to improve the situations of stray dogs
Reen Jasper Suralta
so that they may become safe to themselves and to the people around them.
Keanna Francheska Talon
LITERATURE REVIEW
Alra Jem Tinaya
Street Dogs in the Philippines
Mia Cesare Tolop
As claimed by the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), pet overpopulation is the number 1 cause of
Julienne Margaret Uy animal cruelty. Continuous mating resulting in numerous birth of puppies which owners cannot give their full attention to
cause them to be abandoned on the streets. Abandoned dogs copulate without restraint because they don’t have owners to
Zherlyn Jelle Valencia
discipline them. According to the Humane Society International (HSI), they discovered that most local officials resorts to
inhumane practices for animal control, such as shooting or poisoning, due to lack of alternatives. Stray dogs are also either
Zeth Zalavarria
beaten to death or cooked and served as a food like some cases in Baguio City (Powell, 2011). Though the Republic Act
8485 as amended by Republic Act 10631 otherwise known as the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 stated that, it shall be
unlawful for any person to torture any animal, to neglect to provide adequate care, sustenance or shelter, or maltreat any
animal. The local residents still refuse to follow the law and some of the basic political unit (BPU) in the country seem not
to do anything about it since there are still a lot of pending cases about animal cruelty. The Freeman (2017) revealed that
there are more or less 600 cases of animal abuse reported to the Island Rescue Organization (IRO) in Cebu City during the
year 2017.
Pet Abandonment Causes Stray Dogs
There are many causes for the stray dog problem. The most important reason is abandonment behavior by
residents. A great numbers of dogs were abandoned by their owners for some reasons, such as family tragedies moving and
getting married, sickness and intolerable physiological characteristics of pets, no money for treatment, unwilling to continue
feeding. In fact, many stay dogs in the Philippines were abandoned, because their owners could no longer afford to keep
them. Moreover, lost dogs are also increasing the quantities of stray dogs. Without sterilization, the multiplication of stra y
dogs is also an important cause. From all of the above, everyone can see that stray dogs have become such a serious problem
that needs to be solved urgently.
People leave their dogs on the streets because they think it’s the only possible solution (Towell, 2018).
Sometimes people are separated from their dog companions because they become too sick to care for them. Many people
don’t know about the importance of advance planning for their dogs’ family, and so their dog companions end up in the
streets. One of the most important jobs of an animal shelter is to reduce the number of abandonments through outreach and
education. Shelters can also help to educate adopters about the commitment involved in being an animal caregiver. It’s also
important for anyone thinking about adopting an animal to consider in advance how they will deal with potential issues, so
that they don’t end up adding to the numbers of abandoned dogs.
The Republic Act No. 8485 as amended by RA10631 Section 7 states that it is unlawful to for any person who
has custody to an animal to abandon the animal. If the animal is left in circumstances likely to cause the animal any
unnecessary suffering, if this abandonment results in the death of the animal, or cause public nuisance, the person liable
shall be punished accordingly by the law.
Impact of Stray Dogs to the Community
There are public nuisance problems caused by these stray dogs: worrying of walkers and joggers, scavenging
of garbage cans, fecal pollution, urine spraying, and noise (Trotman et al., 2007). As listed by the Wild Life Animal Control
(2019), there are numerous common problems that can be caused by stray dogs. They tend to defile and sully due to the
fact that no one is available to look after them. Such dogs might develop the liking to hunt and might ramble into a garden
of other people and might even cause harm to other home pets. When a stray dog goes into a farm land and causes harm to
livestock, there are chances that the farmer might shoot it. Stray dogs are fond of opening garbage bin bags and so they can
cause garbage and refuse to be scattered all over the property or street. They often live under buildings, decks, sheds, and
spread fleas there. Or worse, they a stray dog might discover something to consume, which might cause illness to it, and
it'll die under a structure, and cause a horrible rotting odor.
Not all stray dogs are gracious towards human beings and so there are chances that someone might get bitten
if the dog is not taken care of. Stray dogs often prefer to roam in packs and so it might cause a threatening feel and also
result in superfluous and redundant puppies. They tend to bark and howl, especially when they are involved in a fight with
another dog which regularly and perpetually happens during mating (Arnold, 2017). They might spread rabies, a deadly
disease that can be passed on to human beings by dog bites. Dogs are considered to be the most common transporter of this
disease worldwide. Rabies acquired from dog bites is causing more number of human deaths every year and the count is
increasing yearly, despite of applying various measures taken such as cleaning the bitten wounds and immunizing the
patient right away after getting bitten. These dogs might bite other dogs when they try to mate and also when they fight
amongst themselves. People in the environment can regularly get bitten by accident. Stray puppies’ mother will be more
conscious and aggressive and so she might bite anyone who approaches towards her family.
Stray Dogs Cause Road Accidents
A dog that is out on its own can cause a collision as it runs in the road, which might even result in injury to
other people and also to itself as stated by Bautista (2011). Cases about dogs that is out on its own causing a collision when
it runs in the road, resulting in injury to other people and also to itself have already been reported countless times. According
to Quimpo (2011), stray dogs have caused many traffic incidents and bites. People who try to avoid hitting stray dogs have
caused numerous accidents and even death. Since they have no owners, there’s no one accountable for the incident. A light
motor vehicle (MH-02-BM-1467) ran over the stray dog who was witnessed by Shirshad (2014). The vehicle was over
speeding and accidentally ran over a stray dog.
Stray dogs roam around the streets to find food to fill their hunger or to find a shelter to live in. Their population
continuously grows since they are neglected. Since the population has grown too much and there are bigger issues, the
authorized people who should be dealing with this kind of problem often care less and just pile them with the other minor
problems without realizing that it is one of the main causes of road accidents.
Rabies Caused by Stray Dogs
There are some threats of stray dogs to people. It can be a threat to the health of people where the disease that
comes from these stray dogs can be transferred to people by bites. as we all know, some of these stray dogs are unvaccinated
against rabies so there's a chance that the victims of their bites can cause infectious disease such as rabies. It can also be
harmful to people who are passing by because some stray dogs are very aggressive so the tendency is that the people will
be scared and will run to escape. Runners can be at a higher risk especially when there are a bunch of stray dogs in that area
because as we know, that if a person runs, the dog will go after you as if they wanted to bite you and that will be very
dangerous to the person/people. There are some cases that the cause of death of a person is rabies from animals.
Stray dogs are often vicious and don’t like people, they tend to bite and might harm the health of the human it
has bitten. Rabies cannot only be acquired from dog bites. On the report of Dr. Villa (1999) coordinator of the Department
of Health’s rabies control programme, the virus will be destroyed if the dog is cooked, but some are eaten raw. Whoever
cuts the dead dog might transmit the virus to himself if he touches his eyes or lips while having traces of the dead dog’s
fluids on his hands. The fact that people eat the meat of dogs supports the idea of them being prone to rabies infection.
Rabies is the most common viral disease and humans are more prone to it that is why anti- rabies vaccines are important to
dogs.
Rabies from dogs has always been an issue and cause of death to hundreds of Filipinos, most of them are
children. Dogs remain the principal cause of animal bites and rabies cases. You can see some children just outside of their
houses playing and are exposed to their surroundings and they will always have the possibility to encounter some stray
dogs. Having the dogs vaccinated will be a great help and a chance to lower the cases for rabies.
Having the dogs vaccinated will not only benefit us humans but will also be beneficial for the dogs. Once a
dog who has rabies have bitten a person, there is a great chance that they will die. Both the person and the dog will be
harmed caused by rabies. Being educated by this is important in order for us to know and have knowledge about cases of
rabies on dogs and how it had affected a lot of Filipinos.
Threats of Stray Dogs to People
Since most stray dogs are vicious especially to unfamiliar people, they might have a possibility to cause harm
to us. One of those is transporting rabies to us humans. According to the World Health Organization, rabies is responsible
for the deaths of 200 to 300 Filipinos per year.
 Stray dogs have many negative impacts on city environment and human health. They cause noise pollution,
feces garbage and traffic accidents. There are a lot of stories of attacks by packs of roaming dogs. The reason for this is to
protect one another from the possible threat they may encounter. Street dogs sometimes kill for food and their attacks
usually lead to indiscriminate mutilation of their prey (Trotman et al., 2007). As stated by Kahn (2011), bites and attacks
by free-roaming or stray dogs include "very significant health risks.” Kahn is the head of the International Trade Department
of the World Organization for Animal Health, or OIE. The fact that they are not vaccinated and may be a carrier of a disease
supports this idea. Aside from the virus they might carry, they also be the main reasons of accidents, trauma, unwanted
killings, and destruction of property.
Implementation of Programs and Facilities by the Barangay
Under the law of the Philippines’ Republic Act No. 9482 Sec. 7. Responsibilities of the LGUs, it states that:
“With respect to cities and first class municipalities, establish and maintain a Dog Pound where Impounded Dogs shall be
kept, in accordance with Section 9 herein: Provided, That the other municipalities, shall, on their own, establish a Dog
Pound or opt to share the expense of establishing and maintaining a Dog Pound with other adjoining municipalities and/or
with private animal shelters and control facilities.”
Dog impounds are established to give temporary shelter to stray dogs and available for pet adoption. Its
purpose is to provide welfare not only for abandoned dogs but also for the people in the society. According to R. Wisch
and A. Dillingham (2017) “If an animal control officer sees a loose dog (or other domestic animal, depending on the state
or locality), he or she often has the authority to seize and impound the animal”. Government authorities has also the power
to pick up or impound the animals when the dog is abandoned or just staying as a stray. Implementation of dog impounds
shall be the best option to start with proposing solutions to stray dog problems. As stated by Republic Act 9482 Sec. 9
“Impounding Field Control and Disposition of Unregistered, Stray and Unvaccinated Dogs,” unregistered, stray or
unvaccinated dogs shall be impounded and kept in the LGU’s designated Dog Pound. Every barangay has to do their job
on making sure that there are no stray dogs by capturing them and put these dogs under the care of the people in charge in
the Dog Pound of their LGU. There should be a temporary dog impounds in every barangay and there should be active
As claimed by Horowitz A. (2011) in Theory of Minds in Dogs, if the animals seem to be operating with regard
to some mediating element between others’ appearance and their behaviors, this behavior could be described as a
rudimentary theory of mind. A rudimentary theory of mind, also known as the basic theory of mind, explains that behavior
of dogs depends on its history. Stray dogs live on the streets where their behavior depends on how they are treated by the
society. In the Behavioral Learning Theory in Dogs by Aguiar C. (2008), another perspective regarding the behavior of
dogs and effective intervention for aggression problems, it states that stray dogs learn from their environment. Dogs’
aggression behavior is natural but can be changed through behavioral learning. Kerkhove W. V. (2004) stated in the “Wolf-
Pack Theory” that aggression in dogs are natural and expressions of conflict that arise whenever dominance status is in
contention. This theory is similar to the Dominance Theory; wherein stray dogs aim for the higher social status in the
community resulting in dog fights and dog aggression towards human. Through these theories, the researchers came up
with the idea of conducting a phenomenological study at Barangay 6, Calbiga, Samar about stray dogs which will allow the
researchers to know and understand human experiences of the residents and how these dogs affect the human society.
LITERATURES CITED
Aizpuru, A. (2017, September 26). “Animal Abuses Alarming in Cebu City”. Retrieved from https://www.philstar.com/the-
freeman/cebu-news/2017/09/26/1743131/iro-animal-abuses-alarming-cebu-
city#pu6OVVOz69SsTxhd.99Learning
Aguiar, C. (2008), Behavioral Learning Theory in Dogs. Retrieved from https://e-trainingfordogs.com/learning-theory/
Alcala, P. (2015), Policies and Guidelines in the Establishments and Maintenance of Animal Pounds, p. 659
Alcala, P. (2015). “Bureau of Animal Industry 26 National Administrative Register 2015”. Retrieved from
https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals%2Fnadmr26&div=66&id=&page=&fbclid=I
wAR2aLxPWTLMJOk1LQQrP5yjKxqJhFcLHEPT__uwj34OCEz-3LYGc7KbOBl4
Anzuino, K. (). “Street Dog Population Control”. Retrieved from

employees in capturing them. https://www.bva.co.uk/uploadedFiles/Content/Membership_and_benefits/Students/Guidance_notes_-

_street_dog_population_control.pdf
The Barangay will initiate the plans for the anti-rabies programs within their area. The Department of Health
(DOH) as they have stated on the National Rabies Information System (NaRIS), the role of the barangay captains as key Arnold C. (2017, Oct. 4), “Why are dogs more aggressive?”
leaders in the community is to organize a “Bantay Rabis sa Barangay” Brigade, initiate and oversee the overall program
Creswell, J. W. (1998). Qualitative inquiry and research: Choosing among five traditions. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation within the municipality. This program is implemented to prevent and
Publications
eliminate rabies as well as monitor the risk of rabies infection.

David T. (2001), “Top 10 Common Problems Caused by Stray Dogs”

Theories Related to Stray Dogs
Theory of Behavioral
Minds in Dogs Learning Diehn SA, Rasper A. (2011), “Not just for the dogs: Strays problem is also human rights issue”
(Horowitz A., Theory in Dogs
2011) (Aguiar C., Gueseva, V. (2013), Dog Ownership through the Eyes of a Stray Dog: Property Rights and the Stray Dog Population, p. 46
2008)
Editage, Insight, (2018, October 05).“How to Write the Rationale for Research”. Retrieved from
https://www.editage.com/insights/how-to-write-the-rationale-for-research

Hines R. (2019), “When your Dog Bites Understanding and Correcting Aggressive Behavior”

Wolf- Pack Theory

Figure 1. Theoretical Framework
(Kerkhove W. V., 2004)
Horowitz A. (2011), Theory of Minds in Dogs. Retrieved from
https://psychology.barnard.edu/sites/default/files/theory_of_mind_in_dogs.pdf
Jones G. (2001), “Dog food menu that shames the Philippines”.Retrieved from https.
Katoch, V. (2015). “What is the Best Way of Controlling the Stray Dog Population?”. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/post/what_is_the_best_way_of_controlling_the_stray_dog_population
Kerkhove W. V. (2004), The Wolf- Pack Theory. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15857815
Kumar S. (2002) Stray Dogs are a Growing Threat to the Public. BMJ Publishing Group
Lapiz SMD, et al., (2012, December 6), “Implementation of an Intersectoral Program to Eliminate Human and Canine
Rabies: The Bohol Rabies Prevention and Elimination Project”, Republic of the Philippines, Department of
Health, NaRIS “Role of the Key Leaders in the community”.
Local Government Units. Book III (sections 384-510)
Lyu P. (2015) Proposal on Solutions to Stray Dog Problem in American Cities. Journal of Political Sciences & Public
Affairs 3:175. doi:10.4172/2332-0761.1000175
Pet Respect News, Stray Dog Control. World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), London.
Shapiro, K. J. (1997). A phenomenological approach to the study of nonhuman animals.
The Freeman (2017), IRO: Animal abuses alarming in Cebu City
Villar M. (1971, Aug. 24), “Resolution urging the Senate Committees on Trade and Commerce and Local Government, to
conduct an inquiry, in aid of the Legislation, on the Prevalence of Illegal Dog Meat Trade, with the end in
view of reviewing and tightening existing Animal Protection Policies in terms of implementation,
enforcement, prosecution, and penalties”, p.5:39
Towell, Lisa, (2018, September 04). “Why People Abandon Animals”. Retrieved from
https://prime.peta.org/2018/09/why-people-abandon-animals
Wallenstien C. (1999, May 15), “Rabies cases increase in the Philippines”,
WHO (1996) World Survey of Rabies No.29 for the year 1993. WHO. Division of emerging and other communicable
disease surveillance and control.
MATERIALS AND METHOD
Research Design
The researchers will use a phenomenological approach. This study aims to investigate how the residents are
faring with the dogs that are freely roaming around the streets. We will be using a qualitative research design. Individual
unstructured interviews will be conducted with the respondents. Through a comprehensive interview, we will be able to
have insight into how the residents cope with stray dogs and be aware of how the local barangay handle this problem.
Research Locale
The respondents in this research are residents from Barangay 6, Calbiga, Samar. The province is located in
Region 8 of the Philippines. Tourists have visited this town to catch sight of its infamous falls, cave and delicious delicacies.
Dogs roam freely around each and every corner of every street of the town. There are a total of 41 Barangays in Calbiga,
but this study will focus on the Barangay which has the largest population of stray dogs, which is the Barangay 6. As
claimed by Café (2019), the barangay captain of Calbiga, Samar and a well-known resident in town, Barangay 6 has the
largest population of stray dogs in Calbiga, Samar.
Participants
A purposive and snow-ball sampling will be used in this study. A sample of twenty participants will be selected
as respondents of the study as suggested by Creswell (1998) in phenomenological studies. These participants are people
who reside at Barangay 6, Calbiga, Samar. The respondents vary in ages and economic status. Ages will range from 18 –
60 years old. They are different people but have experienced dealing with the stray dogs in the same area they live in.
Instrumentation
The study will use an unstructured interview in discussing with the respondents. The interview will be having
unstructured guide questions but will contain main questions that will give the important answers for the study. Questions
other than the main questions will be used to support details of the study and to dig deeper on experiences and the feelings
of the people in the area. The main questions that will be asked include the causes and effects of the growing population of
stray dogs, if these dogs a big problem in their place, if the barangay has been doing their job regarding the overpopulation
of these dogs, and the possibilities that may occur if stray dogs are left roaming around the streets of Barangay 6.
Procedure
The researchers will first agree where and when will they conduct the interview. On the agreed date, they will
prepare their interview materials which includes the voice recorder, papers wi th the guide questions and the consent forms.
They will settle at their agreed place to meet, which will be at the terminal of Joy Joy Van located at Burgos Street Tacloban,
City. They will then pay for a fare ticket from Tacloban to Calbiga, Samar. Upon arriving, consent forms will be distributed
to the selected random people who reside at Barangay 6, Calbiga, Samar.
The researchers of this study will gather data from the randomly selected participants that reside at Barangay
6, Calbiga, Samar through unstructured interviews. During the process, there will be a voice recorder and other members
of the study will be taking notes. There will be a 10- minute preparation for both the interviewers and interviewees to ease
the atmosphere. The interview will commence after the respondent signs the terms and conditions of the consent form and
when both parties are ready. Questions about dogs freely roaming around the streets at the area, the causes and effects of
the growing population of stray dogs within the Barangay, how the Barangay deals with this problem, and the possibilities
that may occur if stray dogs are left roaming around the streets of the area. There will be more questions to be asked if their
answers do not satisfy our questions.
Each interview won’t exceed 30 minutes and it will be finished in a span of two days. The interview will end
as soon as there are either no more questions to be asked or the interviewee requests to stop. The participants will be given
a token of gratitude from the researchers for taking part in their study.
Data Analysis

A phenomenological approach will be used in this study in analyzing and gathering data. The aim of
phenomenological qualitative research is to deal with experiences and meanings. According to Abaincia (2019), barangay
6 of Calbiga, Samar has been facing a big problem on stray dogs. Researchers of this study wants to confirm the alleged
issue of stray dog overpopulation. Questions will be focused on the causes and effects of stray dogs in the area, stray dogs
as a problem, and the solutions done by the Barangay to solve the problem. Unstructured interviews will be conducted and
respondents are randomly selected. Respondents will be in a total of twenty, all are residents of the area and will be
interviewed individually.

This study will use an emergent type of coding. In cleaning the data, the researchers will use spot- checking
and eye-balling. Content analysis will be used in identifying the patterns and themes of the data gathered.

The role of the barangay is to ensure the welfare of dogs through implementing yearly rabies vaccination as
claimed by the the Department of Health as they have stated on the National Rabies Information System (NaRIS) and
establishing and maintaining dog impounds programs at their barangay as stated on the Republic Act No. 9482 Sec. 7.
Responsibilities of the LGU. Through individual unstructured. interviews, we will gather information on possible causes of
the problem. The researchers will know why the population of stray dogs keep growing and its effects on the welfare of
humans and to themselves. The participants will then give their statements about where these dogs came from, how does it
affect the society and what the barangay does do prevent the problem from growing. The data that will be gathered shall
emphasize on the how residents are faring with stray dogs at Barangay 6, Calbiga, Samar and the solutions to be proposed
with the help of the Barangay.