The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of San Carlos held a public hearing Jan. 20 on the proposed ordinance establishing the Code of Responsible Pet Ownership in the city.
The proposal aims to educate every owner on basic proper care, handling, and health for their pets; prevent animal bites and rabies; address cases of lost or stolen pets; and encourage Sancarloseños to adopt pets from the City Agriculture’s Office (CAO) Veterinary Division.
It requires barangay registration and annual rabies vaccination of dogs and cats by licensed veterinarians or authorized city vaccinators; that households may keep a maximum of two dogs and two cats if space and vaccination requirements are met, while those exceeding the limit or engaging in commercial breeding, buying, selling, trading, or training must secure a special permit from the city’s Veterinary Division for a fee of P1,000.
The proposal also allows pet owners to voluntarily surrender vicious animals that pose a danger to the owner’s life or health, or threaten the community, as determined by a licensed veterinarian; owners must fill out a request form and pay a fee of P200 per surrendered animal.
It further sets penalties for violators, including a fine of P2,000, imprisonment of 15 to 30 days, or both, at the court’s discretion for failure to register or vaccinate pets or neglecting responsibilities under the ordinance.
Councilor Gerardo Valmayor III noted that pet owners must provide sufficient food, clean water, proper shelter, and sanitary enclosures, and are liable for any damage caused by their pets, including assisting bite victims and covering all medical and related expenses.
CAO veterinarian IV, Dr. Jeff Reonal, also discussed the impoundment of stray animals, including a three-day holding period before the shelter decides whether to place the animal for adoption or euthanize it, depending on its health and welfare.
Valmayor, together with councilors Arthur Batomalaque, Joselito Lopez, Joseph Mark Antonio, and Armando Laguda Jr., presided over the hearing at the SP Session Hall.
It was attended by Vice Mayor Cristopher Paul Carmona, councilors Jeffrey Hidalgo and Victoriana Cabili, CDRRM officer Joe Recalex Alingasa Jr., City Health Officer Dr. Jabbel Jayawon, barangay representatives, personnel from the City Primary Care Facility, PNP-San Carlos, and CAO, members of the Rabies Coordinating Council, and local pet owners. ||
