QuestionsQuestions (BAI ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 19)
BAI AO 19 is issued pursuant to Republic Act (RA) 8485 (Animal Welfare Act of 1998). Its objective is to promote, ensure, and protect animal welfare during land transport, aligned with the “five basic freedoms of animals.”
They are: (1) freedom from thirst, hunger, and malnutrition; (2) freedom from physical discomfort and pain; (3) freedom from injury and disease; (4) freedom to conform to essential behavior patterns; and (5) freedom from fear and distress.
An Animal Caretaker generally cares for dogs/cats (may be the owner or employed caretaker). An Animal Handler/Livestock handler is licensed by BAI Marketing Development Division to handle livestock. A Carrier/Hauler is the person or entity hauling/handling live animals for transport from one place to another.
They are responsible for (a) general health, fitness for the journey, and welfare; (b) compliance with required veterinary/other certifications during the journey; (c) ensuring at least one competent animal caretaker/handler for the species; and (d) ensuring appropriate equipment for the species and journey.
The carrier must choose an appropriate vehicle, ensure properly trained staff for loading/unloading/caring; develop and keep up-to-date contingency plans for emergencies and minimizing stress; and produce a Journey Plan (including loading plan, journey duration, and resting locations).
Drivers must ensure the safety and roadworthiness of the vehicles used and comply with traffic rules and regulations during travel.
They must provide suitable premises and facilities for loading/unloading and securely holding animals; provide facilities with water and feed; and provide facilities for disinfecting/disinsecting vehicles after unloading.
No animals shall be moved by suspension using mechanical means (sling/cable), nor lifted or dragged by the head, horns, legs, nose, ears, eyes, tail or fleece. Electric prods are prohibited. Proper restraining/handling tools are required by species (e.g., halters for cattle/carabaos/horses, leashes for dogs, proper cages for cats/poultry/ducks, ropes for goats/sheep).
Dogs are the only animals allowed to jump, and only at a height appropriate to their size; otherwise jumping is prohibited.
The maximum continuous travel time for animals is 12 hours.
The carrier and hauler must accomplish it in triplicate before and after the journey. Copy 1 is kept by the carrier, copy 2 by the driver, and copy 3 by the receiver/authorized consignee. The Journey Plan is also submitted to a person of authority.
Every ramp and gangway used shall have sidings of sufficient height and strength to prevent animals from falling.
Animals must be unloaded into appropriate facilities immediately upon arrival; sufficient time for unloading must be provided; unloading must proceed quietly without unnecessary noise/harassment; vehicles/cages/vans/crates must be thoroughly cleaned by removing manure/bedding, then disinfected and disinsected before reuse.
No animal shall be unloaded by throwing from the transport vehicle to the ground. Also, no animal shall be thrown about within the transport vehicle during unloading.
They must be unloaded using a ramp inclined not more than 30 degrees with floor grids, or they can be carried one by one from the transport vehicle to the ground.
Expressway operators must implement Public Safety Guidelines on Stray Animal Control approved by the DA-Committee on Animal Welfare, including installation of an Animal Control Facility, personnel training, and procedures for detection, impounding, adoption, and disposition of unredeemed/sick animals. Upon detection in the ROW/carriageway, responsible units must report specific details to the Central Control for assessment of imminent danger. Any animals in custody/transit must not be subjected to torture/neglect/maltreatment.
If necessary, extermination may be carried out through shooting using appropriate firearm by authorized personnel. When the animal poses imminent danger to human life or limb, killing should be done through shooting by a shooter deputized by the BAI-Animal Welfare Division.
Vehicles/containers must have working telecommunication equipment; must be designed to fit species/size/weight with smooth secured fittings to avoid injury; include basic first aid kit and heavy-duty flashlight; protect from adverse weather and prevent escape; be thorough-cleanable with disinfection/disinsection and feces/urine containment; ensure upper-level waste does not soil lower levels; be structurally maintained; provide bedding to absorb urine/feces and protect animals; and carry a reflectorized “Live Animals” label with specified dimensions and placement/visibility plus contact information for the carrier/hauler.