Makati Mayor Abby Binay today warned city residents to be responsible pet owners and keep their pet animals off the streets.”©”©
The mayor has directed the City Veterinary Services Office (MVSO) to step up its enforcement of City Ordinance 2009-009 or the Makati City Animal Regulation and Control Code, following several complaints from residents about stray animals causing unsafe and unsanitary conditions in their neighborhood.”© “©
“Let me remind pet owners that it is their responsibility to care for their pets and provide them proper shelter. If you allow your pet animals to roam the streets freely, you are not only putting them at risk, but are also endangering residents and the general public,” Binay said.
According to MVSO chief Dr. Ma. Katherina Mangahas, intensified operations to round up stray animals are being conducted by her office in the different barangays in District 1 and District 2.
From September 21 to October 12, MVSO personnel had caught eight stray dogs in Pio del Pilar, 16 in Poblacion, six in Rizal, eight in Pembo, 16 in Olympia, eight in South Cembo, five in Carmona, three in Kasilawan, one in Valenzuela, and one in San Antonio.”© “©
Aside from MVSO, the Makati Public Safety Department and the barangays are mandated to strictly implement the ordinance. They are deputized to confiscate animals under the provisions of said ordinance. The Makati Police Department is also directed to assist said officials in the confiscation of stray animals.”© “©
Meanwhile, Mangahas reminded residents of the penalties imposed by the said ordinance on violators.”© “©
Section 3 of the ordinance requires all pet dogs, cats and other animals to be licensed and registered with the City and Barangay Animal Registries. It also sets the maximum number of pets—two adult dogs and three adult cats per household, unless a conditional permit will be granted by the City Animal Registrar. Its other provisions include minimum size guidelines for kennels and cages, both individual and shared.”© “©
First-time violators of Section 3 will be fined P1,000 and required to register the animal, or submit it for neutering and pay 50 percent of the registration fee. For the second offense, P1,500 fine and registration of the animal; third offense, P2,000 fine and confiscation of the animal.
Under Section 4, pet owners are obliged to have their pets inoculated by a licensed veterinarian. Vaccination shall be valid for one year from the date of inoculation. Violators of this provision will be fined P1,000 and required to submit their pet for vaccination on the first offense. The second offense and third offenses still carry the latter penalty, but the fine will be raised to P1,500 and P2,000, respectively.”© “©
Violators of Sections 6 (wild and endangered animals) and 12 (quarantine of rabid animals) will be fined P500 and their pets confiscated on the first offense, P1,000 fine and confiscation of the animal on the second offense, and P2,000 fine and confiscation of the animal on the third offense.”© “©
Penalties for Section 8 first-time offenders are a P500 fine or neutering; for the second offense, a P1,500 fine or neutering; third offense, a P2,000 fine and confiscation of animal. Refusal of the owner to shoulder the medical expenses of the person bitten by their dog shall be meted with a fine of P25,000.”©
Section 9 deals with impoundment of pets and carries a penalty of P1,000 for owners claiming impounded animals. They are also required to register their pet and submit it for vaccination or neutering.”©
Section 20 provides guidelines for animal facilities such as pet shops. Violators will be fined P500 on the first offense, P1,000 on the second offense, and P2,000 and revocation of business permit on the third offense.”© “©
Violators of Sections 25 and 26 (trading of dog meat) and 26 (cruelty to animals) will be fined P5,000 per dog and are subject to imprisonment from one to four years, on the discretion of the Court.