Registration of Brands
- Owners must register their private brands with the municipal treasurer by filing triplicate copies.
- Copies are kept by municipal and provincial treasurers and the Chief of the Bureau of Archives.
- Registers must record owner details: name, age, civil status, occupation.
Restrictions on Brand Registration
- No duplicate or confusingly similar brand can be registered without proof of right.
Certification of Brand Registration
- Municipal treasurer issues certificates detailing brand registration and owner information.
Municipal and Government Branding
- Each municipality and government level (Insular and provincial) must have a distinctive brand.
- Municipalities use their brand to counter-brand large cattle.
Branding of Unbranded Cattle
- Unbranded cattle over two years found within a municipality must be branded with owner’s brand on the right hip and municipal brand on the left hip.
- Branding must be witnessed by authorized officials.
Registration and Certification of Branded Cattle
- Owners must register branded cattle to obtain certificates of ownership as proof.
- Registrations include detailed animal descriptions and are signed by officials and owners.
Ownership Verification and Branding Duties
- Officials must verify cattle ownership before branding or issuing certificates.
Stamp Requirement for Certificates
- Certificates of ownership and transfer require a one-peso stamp canceled by the municipal seal.
Individual Animal Registration
- Each animal must have a separate registration and certificate.
Re-registration of Previously Registered Cattle
- Cattle registered under previous laws must be re-registered under this Act without charge.
Transfer of Ownership
- Transfers must be entered in municipal records with detailed information.
- Transfer certificates reflecting ownership changes are issued and signed by officials and owners.
- Transfers require presenting original or certified ownership documents.
Identification on Certificates
- Certificates must include detailed identifying marks and descriptions of the animal.
Delivery of Certificates upon Sale
- Original and transfer certificates must be delivered to the purchaser.
Validity of Transfers
- Transfers not registered and certified as provided are invalid.
Inspection of Ownership Documents
- Owners must produce certificates upon official demand or face penalties.
Penalties for Non-compliance
- Fines or imprisonment for failing to produce ownership documents or for unauthorized slaughter.
Estrays and Seized Animals
- Estrays or animals seized must be delivered to the municipal treasurer.
- Public notices must be posted to inform owners.
- Owners claiming animals must pay maintenance and transport costs.
- Unclaimed animals are sold at public auction with proceeds going to the municipality after one year.
Records and Sale of Estrays
- Sales must be recorded and certificates of sale issued.
- Provincial boards oversee sales and claims.
Slaughter Regulations
- Slaughter permits are required for large cattle at municipal slaughterhouses.
- Proof of ownership must be shown prior to slaughter permit issuance.
- Carabaos cannot be slaughtered unless unfit for work.
- Records of slaughter permits must be maintained and reported monthly.
Prohibition and Penalties for Unauthorized Slaughter
- Unauthorized slaughter punishable by fines or imprisonment.
Deadlines for Branding and Registration
- All cattle two years or older must be branded and registered by January 1, 1905.
- Non-compliance subject to fines or imprisonment per animal.
Presumption of Ownership for Unbranded Cattle
- Possessor of unbranded cattle presumed owner for enforcement purposes.
Applicability to Unorganized Areas
- Act applies to townships, settlements, and rancherias not under municipal or provincial codes.
- Designated persons act in official capacities with respect to branding, registration, and stamps.
Exemption of Manila
- The city of Manila is exempt.
- Existing regulations remain but brand registration reports must be sent to the Bureau of Archives.
Printing and Distribution of Required Stamps
- Stamps printed under government supervision and distributed through treasurers.
- Costs are collected at each distribution point.
Penalties for Official Negligence
- Failure by officials to perform duties results in fines or imprisonment.
Repeal of Prior Laws
- Previous Acts inconsistent with this Act are repealed.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect on July 1, 1904.