Author Topic: Animal Rights and Pet Ownership in Dumaguete City  (Read 1115 times)

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Animal Rights and Pet Ownership in Dumaguete City
« on: October 20, 2017, 04:56:24 PM »
New Dumaguete ordinance passed to protect animal rights
by Rachelle Nessia

Dumaguete City (7 October 2005) -- The city government of Dumaguete is now taking animal rights seriously with the passage of a new ordinance pushing for the protection of animal welfare while putting more teeth into the city's anti-rabies campaign.

Ordinance No. 21 now limits dog ownership to two dogs for the dogs' sake. "Dog ownership must be restricted if the dog owner cannot really afford to give the necessary care that the animals need," says City Veterinarian Dr. Lourdes Socorro during a recent Kapihan forum.
Socorro cites shelter, food and nutrition, grooming and exercise and protection from infectious diseases that may cause death as some of the animal rights that dog owners should provide. "If you cannot afford to give these rights, then the government has the right to prevent you from owning these dogs because you will be maltreating them by not providing for their needs," she said.

She however clarified that dog ownership, even if restricted, depends on the owner's capability to provide. You can raise as many dogs as you want if you can afford to provide for all their needs, Socorro said.

The new ordinance also increased the registration or licensing fee from P5 to P100.
Socorro explained that 50% of the fee will go to the barangays which are now closely involved in the ordinance's implementation as it orders barangays to identify dog owners in their areas by conducting surveys in households with dogs and cats.

Violators will face imprisonment from one to 6 months and fines of not less than P2,000 but not more than P5,000or both fine and imprisonment upon the discretion of the court, says Socorro.

The city's new ordinance, authored by City Councilor Dr. Urbano Diga and which amends Ordinance No. 15, is in support of Republic Act 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act that was passed in 1998.

Provincial Veterinary Officer Dr. Antonio Mutia said RA 8485 calls for animal protection and responsible pet ownership. "This law covers all kinds of animals, like pets, food animals, show animals and even wild animals," says Mutia who warned that the destruction of animal habitat is already a violation of the said law.

The Provincial Veterinary Office has been conducting lectures in the different towns and cities to raise awareness on the salient points of the Animal Welfare Act.

Both Mutia and Socorro was speaking in yesterday's Kapihan forum conducted by the Philippine Information Agency in line with the first celebration of Animal Welfare Week in October.
Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has signed on October 11 last year Proclamation No. 175 declaring the first week of October as Animal Welfare Week.

In line with the celebration, the city and provincial veterinary offices here is conducting free clinics offering services on deworming, tick, flea and lice treatment, castration of male dogs and cats and treatment of sick animals.

The city veterinarian said the celebration also aims to highlight the Animal Welfare Act, under which facilities involved in raising any kind of animals are now required to register with the Bureau of Animal Industry's Animal Welfare Division.

"Before, anybody can have a pet shop, but now it is regulated," states Socorro.
The said bureau also regulates the raising of poultry if it exceeds a certain number.
In the same forum, Mutia reminded dog owners to be responsible and submit their dogs for regular vaccination.

He also warned dog owners not to let their pets loose even if they are vaccinated. "There is a real danger that your dog will bite someone. Under the law, the dog owner is responsible for the medical expenses if their dog bites someone as dog bites can also lead to tetanus and not just rabies," Mutia stressed.

This was reiterated by Socorro, who said that Ordinance No. 21 also calls for the mandatory leashing of dogs. "You must keep your dogs within your premises. If you are not leashing it, then it must be inside a fenced household." (PIA)

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