The Puerto Princesa City Veterinary Office (CVO) reminded pet owners on Monday that dogs must be kept on their leashes at all times to protect the health and safety of the public and to achieve the target of declaring Puerto Princesa rabies-free by 2020.
Dr. Indira Santiago, the city veterinarian, said Republic Act 9482 or the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 and City Ordinance No. 816 mandate this on all dog owners.
Santiago said they are intensifying their campaign for responsible pet ownership to for a rabies-free city next year.
“May mga paalala nga ngayon sa mga may-ari ng aso gaya ng ‘Aso Mo, Itali Mo’ [na] may mga kaparusahan din sa nagva-violate. Ang aso mo kapag hindi mo naitali ay P500 [ang penalty],” Santiago pointed out.
Santiago also said that violators may face fines that are “cumulative”.
This means the monetary penalty will be continually imposed to the violator upon every failure to comply with the law, she said.
The law, said Santiago, also means that barangay officials are responsible for imposing penalties on violators.
Santiago reminded the public to get their dogs vaccinated against rabies if they are three months old and to do this every year.
