Key Definitions
- Bitten: An act where a dog wounds, pierces or scratches human skin with its teeth.
- Concerned Officials: Barangay officials, health workers, police officers, veterinarians.
- Dog: Domestic quadruped of the species canis familiaris.
- Euthanasia: Painless killing of dogs or animals.
- Owner: Any person who keeps, harbors, or controls a dog.
- Pound: Public enclosure for stray animals.
- Rabies: Fatal disease caused by lyssa virus, transmitted mainly through animal bites.
- Rabies Transmission: Passing of rabies virus via a bite or saliva contamination on broken skin or mucous membranes.
- Rabies Vaccination (Humans & Dogs): Vaccination by qualified medical/veterinary personnel.
- Post-exposure Treatment (P.E.T.): Anti-rabies treatment after exposure.
- Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (P.E.P.): Rabies vaccination before exposure for high-risk individuals.
- Stray Dog: Dog outside owner’s premises and control.
National Rabies Prevention and Control Program
- Multi-agency program chaired by the Bureau of Animal Industry, DA.
- Components include mass dog vaccination, dog registration database, impounding stray/unvaccinated dogs.
- Conduct information campaigns on Rabies prevention.
- Provide pre-exposure and post-exposure treatments.
- Encourage responsible pet ownership.
- Implemented by DA, DOH, DILG, DepEd, LGUs, DENR, NGOs, and POs.
Responsibilities of Pet Owners
- Regular dog rabies vaccination and keep registration cards.
- Mandatory dog registration.
- Control dogs; no roaming unleashed in public places.
- Provide proper care (food, grooming, shelter).
- Report dog bites within 24 hours.
- Assist bite victims and shoulder medical expenses.
Government Agency Responsibilities
- DA: Upgrade rabies labs, ensure vaccine supply, free dog vaccination, surveillance, research, formulation of standards, manage euthanasia drugs.
- DOH: Ensure human vaccine supply, provide post-exposure and pre-exposure treatment, maintain surveillance, health education.
- DepEd: Strengthen rabies education, assist in mass vaccination campaigns, integrate responsible ownership in curricula.
LGU Responsibilities
- Immunize, register dogs, and issue dog tags.
- Enforce dog impounding and control stray dogs.
- Ensure dogs are leashed/confined.
- Allocate funds for program implementation.
- Enforce the Animal Welfare Act.
- Prohibit trade of dogs for meat.
- Establish dog pounds and veterinary offices.
- Collect fines from violations and fund rabies control.
Role of NGOs and Academe
- Engage NGOs in community mobilization, education, mass vaccination, surveillance, and eradication efforts.
Handling Unregistered, Stray, and Unvaccinated Dogs
- Dogs to be impounded in LGUs’ dog pounds.
- Unclaimed dogs after 3 days may be adopted or humanely disposed of under Animal Welfare Act.
- Owners to pay impound fees.
Dog Population Control Measures
- Educational campaigns promoting responsible ownership and spaying/neutering.
- Incentives for owners of sterilized dogs (reduced registration fees).
- Mandatory sterilization for dogs impounded three times before release.
Penalties
- Failure to register/vaccinate dog: Fine of P2,000.
- Refusal to vaccinate dog and pay for bite victim’s treatment: liable for expenses.
- Refusal to observe dog after bite: Fine up to P10,000.
- Refusal to observe dog and shoulder medical expenses: Fine up to P25,000.
- Unleashed dogs in public: Fine P500 per incident.
- Dog impounding release fine: P500 to P1,000.
- Trading dogs for meat: Fine P5,000 and imprisonment 1-4 years.
- Using electrocution for euthanasia: Fine P5,000 and imprisonment 1-4 years.
- Convicted aliens deported immediately after sentence.
Implementing Rules and Regulations
- DA to issue necessary implementing rules within 60 days after effectivity.
Appropriations
- Initial budget of P100 million from DOH, DA, DILG, DepEd.
- LGUs to use Internal Revenue Allotment and local funds.
- Annual appropriations thereafter for continuation.
Separability Clause
- Invalidity of any provision does not affect the other provisions.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or two newspapers of general circulation.