This is regarding the mandatory pet registration, particularly dogs, in Baguio City. The ordinance was approved on the third and final reading last 1 June 2020 by the Baguio City Council during the MGCQ period under the “new normal” caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Being a runner who also has Siberian Huskies as occasional running partners, I have posted this and will be updating as well if the City Ordinance will be enacted already.
Taken from the Public Information Office social media page:
The City Council, June 1, approved on third and final reading a proposed ordinance providing for mandatory registration of dogs in the city.
The measure, amending certain provisions of an aging Ordinance No. 500-34 provides, no person shall own or keep a dog over 3-months of age without first registering it with the Office of the City Veterinarian.
Registration may be made directly with the office or during mass registration organized in barangays.
A corresponding registration certificate shall be issued after the dog is installed a microchip.
Under the pending measure, the certificate shall be the permanent record of the dog during its lifetime, except in cases when ownership over the pet is transferred.
Pet owners who fail to have their dogs registered shall be fined P2,000.
Meantime, the pending ordinance prohibits any dog from straying outside its owner’s residence, unless the same is properly leashed in the company of its registered keeper.
Else, the same shall be placed in the city pound by authorized city personnel.
An owner who knowingly and willfully allows a dog to go lose shall be fined P2,000.
The pending measure too provides, a dog impounded by barangay officials may be kept in the barangay pound, if available. The barangay is authorized to collect fines and maintenance fees.
Meantime, a dog impounded by police officers, garbage collectors and subdivision officials shall be turned over to the city pound.
Any person who releases impounded dogs without its owner having it registered, microchipped; and, without the owner paying fines and fees, shall be fined P1,000. This, over possible administrative or criminal suits.
The new measure provides, a dog may be declared nuisance when it has bitten a person outside its owner’s residence; or, causes fear to passersby; or, in not less than 3-occasions, disturbs peace and order.
The dog may likewise be declared a nuisance if, in not less than 3-occasions, it defecated outside its registered owner’s home without its mess being cleaned up.
As a reminder for pet lovers to be more responsible, the owner of a dog that has bitten a person outside the dog’s registered address is obliged to reimburse all medical expenses incurred by the victim.**Dexter A. See