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Monitoring the Implementation of the Anti Rabies Law

In furtherance of the policy of the State to protect and promote people's right to health, Republic Act No. 9482 (The Anti-Rabies Act of 2007) was approved into law, defining among others, the roles and responsibilities of concerned offices, such as, the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health. Department of Education, the local government units, the assistance and participation of NGOs and academe, and this Department, in establishing a system of control, prevention, spread, and eventual eradication of human and animal rabies.

• The following, are general requirements of RA No. 9482

1. Formulation of National Rabies Prevention and Control Program, to include activities on:

a) dog mass vaccination; b) establishment and maintenance of pounding areas for stray and unvaccinated dogs; c) encouragement for responsible pet ownership; and d) establishment and maintenance of central database system for vaccinated and registered dogs;

2. Creation of corresponding Multi-Sectoral Committee to undertake such program:

3. Appointment of Veterinary Officer and the Creation of a Veterinary Office in every province and city, in conformity with the Local Government Code of 1991; and

4. Establishment and maintenance of a Dog Pound in every city and 1st class municipalities, for impounding of stray and unvaccinated dogs, provided however, that other adjoining municipalities may form themselves to establish and maintain a Dog Pound.

• To ensure compliance of the above requirements, Section 7 of the Act provides the following functions of the local government units:

1. Ensure that all dogs are properly immunized, registered and issued a corresponding dog tag for every immunized and registered Dog:

2. Strictly enforce dog impounding activities and field control to eliminate stray dogs;

3. Ensure that Dogs are leashed or confined within the premises of the owner's house or owner's fenced surroundings;

4. Allocate funds to augment the implementation of the National Rabies Prevention and Control Program, particularly on the financing of supplies and human and Dog vaccines needed for immunization;

5. Ensure the enforcement of Sec. 6 of Republic Act No. 8485 or "The Animal Welfare Act of 1998".

6. Enact additional local ordinances that will support the National Rabies Prevention and Control Program that should include the regulation of treatment locally known as "tandok":

7. Prohibit the trade of dogs for meat;

8. With respect to cities and first class municipalities, establish and maintain a Dog Pound where Impounded Dogs shall be kept, in accordance with Sec. 9 herein:

9. 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;

10. Prohibit the use of electrocution as a euthanasia procedure;

11. Appoint a veterinarian and establish a veterinary office in every province, city and first-class municipality: Provided, That the other municipalities shall, on their own, opt to share the expense of having a veterinary office; and

12. Require pet shops to post information regarding rabies and responsible pet ownership;

• Penalties and sanctions pursuant to Section 11 of the Act

1. Pet owners who fail or refuse to have their dog registered and immunized against Rabies shall be punished by a fine of Two Thousand (P 2,000.00) Pesos;

2. Pet owners who refuse to have their dog vaccinated against Rabies shall be liable to pay for the vaccination of both the dog and the individuals bitten by their dog;

3. Pet owners who refuse to have their dog put under observation after said dog has bitten an individual shall be meted a fine of Ten Thousand (P 10,000.00) Pesos;

4. Pet owners who refuse to have their dog put under observation and do not shoulder the medical expenses of the person bitten by their dog shall be meted a fine of Twenty-Five Thousand Pesos (P 25,000.00);

5. Pet owners who refuse to put leash on their dogs when they are brought outside the house shall be meted a fine of Five Hundred (P 500.00) Pesos for each incident;

6. An impounded dog shall be released to its owner upon payment of a fine of not less than Five Hundred (P 500.00) Pesos, but not more than One Thousand (P 1,000.00) Pesos;

7. Any person found guilty of trading dog for meat shall be fined not less than Five Thousand (P 5,000.00) Pesos per dog and subjected to imprisonment for one to four years,

8. Any person found guilty of using electrocution as a method of euthanasia shall be fined not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) per act and subject to imprisonment for one (1) to four (4) years; and

9. If the violation is committed by an alien, he or she shall be immediately deported after service of sentence without any further proceedings.

Legal Bases / References

• Unnumbered Memo 2024.04.25 LGU Compliance to Republic Act No. 9482 (The Anti - Rabies Act of 2007)

• MC 2011 - 030 Strict Implementation of the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 (Republic Act No. 9482)