QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 9482)
RA 9482 is known as the “Anti-Rabies Act of 2007.” It was approved on May 25, 2007.
To protect and promote the people’s right to health by providing a system for control, prevention of spread, and eventual eradication of human and animal rabies, and by establishing the need for responsible pet ownership.
An act by which a dog seizes, cuts, or grips with its teeth so that the skin of a person is wounded, pierced, or scratched.
Transmission/passage of the rabies virus through a bite by an infected animal, or through contamination with virus-laden saliva on breaks in the skin and mucous membranes (e.g., eyes, lips, mouth, genital organs).
A multi-agency/multi-sectoral program chaired by the Bureau of Animal Industry (DA) to control and eliminate rabies, including activities such as mass dog vaccination, a central database for registered/vaccinated dogs, impounding control of unregistered/stray/unvaccinated dogs, information campaigns, provision of P.E.T and P.E.P, and encouraging responsible pet ownership.
The DA, DOH, DILG, and DepEd, with assistance from DENR, NGOs, and POs, and participation of LGUs.
Regular rabies vaccination and maintenance of registration card; submission of dogs for mandatory registration; preventing roaming in public places (leash/control); proper grooming/food/shelter; reporting dog biting incidents within 24 hours and placing the dog under observation; assisting the bite victim and shouldering medical expenses and related costs.
Immediately report to concerned officials for investigation and/or appropriate action, and place the biting dog under observation by a government or private veterinarian.
Examples include: upgrading animal rabies laboratory diagnostics; ensuring supply of animal anti-rabies vaccine; undertaking free vaccination of dogs (priority to high-risk depressed areas); maintaining surveillance; establishing rabies-free zones with LGUs; facilitating approval of barbiturate and euthanasia drugs; strengthening training and IEC; conducting research; formulating standards and monitoring implementation; encouraging collaboration.
Ensure adequate human anti-rabies vaccine in bite treatment centers; provide post-exposure treatment at minimum expense to bitten individuals (initial vaccine and immunoglobulin dose); provide pre-exposure treatment to high-risk personnel; coordinate public health education strategy; develop and maintain human rabies surveillance; and approve registration of veterinary/human barbiturate and euthanasia drugs in coordination with PDEA.
Under Section 6, DepEd strengthens rabies education through school health teaching/curriculum, assists in dog mass immunization campaigns, encourages collaboration, and integrates responsible pet ownership information into elementary and high school levels. LGUs are also required (Section 7) to support local ordinance enforcement and rabies prevention implementation.
Ensure dogs are immunized, registered, and issued dog tags; strictly enforce impounding and field control to eliminate stray dogs; ensure dogs are leashed or confined within owners’ premises; allocate funds for vaccine supplies and program implementation; enforce the Animal Welfare Act (RA 8485) provisions; enact local ordinances supporting the act including regulation of “tandok”; prohibit dog trade for meat; establish/maintain dog pounds for certain LGUs; prohibit electrocution as euthanasia; appoint veterinarians and establish veterinary offices; require pet shops to post rabies/responsible ownership info; and the DILG ensures LGU compliance.
They are impounded and kept in the LGU dog pound; dogs not claimed after three days may be placed for adoption (with NGO assistance when feasible) or disposed of in a manner authorized under RA 8485.
A fine of Two Thousand Pesos (P2,000.00).
A fine of Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00).
Trading dogs for meat: not less than P5,000.00 per dog and imprisonment of one to four years. Electrocution as euthanasia: not less than P5,000.00 per act and imprisonment of one to four years.
The DA, coordinated with the DOH, DILG, DepEd, DENR, NGOs, and POs, shall issue the necessary IRR within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of the Act.
Fifteen (15) days after publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier.