Mandatory spaying or neutering of pet dogs pushed
Published Nov 24, 2019 12:00 am
By Charissa Luci-Atienza
Deputy Speaker and Laguna Rep. Danilo Ramon Fernandez has filed a bill seeking to institutionalize a system of responsible dog ownership through mandatory spaying or neutering of pet dogs.
(EPA / MANILA BULLETIN)
He lamented that rabies continues to be a public health problem in the country.
"According to the World Health Organization-Western Pacific Region, the Philippines is one of the top countries with rabies problem. On the other hand, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) stated that the incidence of rabies in the country is estimated to be six to eight per million population, one of the highest worldwide, " Fernandez said.
Citing the online portal World Atlas, the congressman even noted that the Philippines ranks fourth in the world in the incidence of human deaths related to rabies.
The Department of Health (DOH) estimated that approximately 300 to 600 Filipinos die of rabies every year and disclosed that most affected by rabies in the country are children five to 14 years old, or 53 percent of all cases, he cited.
"The objectives of the proposed Responsible Dog Ownership Act of 2020 are to encourage responsible dog ownership, to protect public health against incidence of dog bites and maulings, to reduce environmental nuisance against dog excrement, barking and property damage, and to promote the effective management of dog population through mandatory spaying or neutering, " Fernandez said in filing House Bill No. 5521.
Citing Section 10 of Republic Act 9482, or the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007, he cited the need to control the dog population and minimize the number of unwanted stray dogs.
"There seems to be a correlation between the high incidence of rabies, animal bites and deaths and injuries resulting therefrom with the high population of dogs in the country," the House leader observed.
He noted that the top 10 countries with the most number of dogs worldwide are United States of America (75.8 million), Brazil (35.7 million), China (27.4 million), Russia (15 million), Japan (12 million), Philippines (P11.6 million), India (10.2 million), Argentina (9.2 million), France (7.4 million), and Romania (4.1 million).
"Several foreign jurisdictions have been moving towards the direction of limiting the number of dogs/pets an individual can own," Fernandez said.
In United States, Rhode Island, Texas, Minnesota and California, their local units--counties/boroughs have adopted strict ownership rules, he noted. While, in Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and South Australia have specific dog ownership limitation laws, he added.
Under HB 5521, Fernandez proposed that it shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, or harbor a dog which is six months of age or older on any lot, premises, dwelling, building, structure, boat or living accommodation, unless it has been spayed or neutered at the owner's expense.
Upon being formally notified of the violation, the erring owner shall be given a 30-day extension to comply, otherwise the pet dog shall be impounded at the city or municipal pound and which shall not be released to the owner unless it has been spayed or neutered at their own expense.
The bill provides that the concerned officials are empowered to enter upon any premises upon which a dog is kept and demand the exhibition of such animal by the owner and the appropriate permits or certificates for such animal.
They are also authorized to seize and impound the dog the ownership or possession of which is found in violation of the proposed Act.
HB 5521 penalizes pet owners who fail or refuse to have their dog spayed or neutered with a fine of P1,000 and shall be deposited in the city or town's spay or neuter account.
The proposed Act does not cover the following: owners who hold a breeding permit, operators of drug rescue facilities or animal welfare organizations; when a licensed veterinarian certifies that due to age, health or illness of the dog, it would inappropriate to spay or neuter such pet; owners or beneficiaries of service or assistance dogs and pet therapy animals; owners or operators of veterinarian clinics or animal hospitals; government entities which train dogs for law enforcement; and non-resident aliens owning or possessing a dog which is not kept within the country for more than 30 days, provided that it shall at all times while in the country is kept within the building, enclosure or vehicle or under restraint by the owner.
(EPA / MANILA BULLETIN)
He lamented that rabies continues to be a public health problem in the country.
"According to the World Health Organization-Western Pacific Region, the Philippines is one of the top countries with rabies problem. On the other hand, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) stated that the incidence of rabies in the country is estimated to be six to eight per million population, one of the highest worldwide, " Fernandez said.
Citing the online portal World Atlas, the congressman even noted that the Philippines ranks fourth in the world in the incidence of human deaths related to rabies.
The Department of Health (DOH) estimated that approximately 300 to 600 Filipinos die of rabies every year and disclosed that most affected by rabies in the country are children five to 14 years old, or 53 percent of all cases, he cited.
"The objectives of the proposed Responsible Dog Ownership Act of 2020 are to encourage responsible dog ownership, to protect public health against incidence of dog bites and maulings, to reduce environmental nuisance against dog excrement, barking and property damage, and to promote the effective management of dog population through mandatory spaying or neutering, " Fernandez said in filing House Bill No. 5521.
Citing Section 10 of Republic Act 9482, or the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007, he cited the need to control the dog population and minimize the number of unwanted stray dogs.
"There seems to be a correlation between the high incidence of rabies, animal bites and deaths and injuries resulting therefrom with the high population of dogs in the country," the House leader observed.
He noted that the top 10 countries with the most number of dogs worldwide are United States of America (75.8 million), Brazil (35.7 million), China (27.4 million), Russia (15 million), Japan (12 million), Philippines (P11.6 million), India (10.2 million), Argentina (9.2 million), France (7.4 million), and Romania (4.1 million).
"Several foreign jurisdictions have been moving towards the direction of limiting the number of dogs/pets an individual can own," Fernandez said.
In United States, Rhode Island, Texas, Minnesota and California, their local units--counties/boroughs have adopted strict ownership rules, he noted. While, in Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and South Australia have specific dog ownership limitation laws, he added.
Under HB 5521, Fernandez proposed that it shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, or harbor a dog which is six months of age or older on any lot, premises, dwelling, building, structure, boat or living accommodation, unless it has been spayed or neutered at the owner's expense.
Upon being formally notified of the violation, the erring owner shall be given a 30-day extension to comply, otherwise the pet dog shall be impounded at the city or municipal pound and which shall not be released to the owner unless it has been spayed or neutered at their own expense.
The bill provides that the concerned officials are empowered to enter upon any premises upon which a dog is kept and demand the exhibition of such animal by the owner and the appropriate permits or certificates for such animal.
They are also authorized to seize and impound the dog the ownership or possession of which is found in violation of the proposed Act.
HB 5521 penalizes pet owners who fail or refuse to have their dog spayed or neutered with a fine of P1,000 and shall be deposited in the city or town's spay or neuter account.
The proposed Act does not cover the following: owners who hold a breeding permit, operators of drug rescue facilities or animal welfare organizations; when a licensed veterinarian certifies that due to age, health or illness of the dog, it would inappropriate to spay or neuter such pet; owners or beneficiaries of service or assistance dogs and pet therapy animals; owners or operators of veterinarian clinics or animal hospitals; government entities which train dogs for law enforcement; and non-resident aliens owning or possessing a dog which is not kept within the country for more than 30 days, provided that it shall at all times while in the country is kept within the building, enclosure or vehicle or under restraint by the owner.