Legal Basis and Policy Link
- Section 458 (4) (viii) of Republic Act No. 7160 authorizes the Sangguniang Panlungsod to regulate activities within the city to promote general welfare, including measures that provide for the impounding of stray animals, regulate keeping of animals in home or as part of business, and adopt measures to prevent and penalize cruelty to animal.
- Republic Act No. 9482 (Anti-Rabies Act of 2007) is the national law establishing policy to promote responsible dog ownership and minimize incidents of animal rabies.
- Section 10 of Republic Act No. 9482 mandates, among others: educational campaigns on responsible pet ownership (including spaying/neutering), incentive systems for spayed/neutered dogs, and releasing impounded dogs after spaying/neutering in required circumstances.
Key Definitions: Spay and Neuter
- Spay is defined as the removal of a female animal’s ovaries and uterus to prevent reproduction.
- Neuter is defined as the removal of a male animal’s testicles to prevent reproduction.
Scope: When and How Dogs Are Castrated
- The Quezon City Health Department Veterinary Services Department (QCHDVSD) castrates dogs under the following instances:
- Cases involving complaints of dog bite incidents in a barangay, provided a written notification is given to the dog owner.
- Dogs that have been impounded three times, which are released only after being spayed or neutered, consistent with Republic Act No. 9482.
- Dogs that are spayed/neutered as requested by the dog owner.
- Dogs without adequate, clean and sanitary facilities.
- The implementation is specifically carried out through the QCHDVSD within Quezon City.
Implementing Agency and Operational Duties
- The QCHDVSD is the implementing agency responsible for carrying out the ordinance.
- The QCHDVSD conducts city-wide awareness and castration programs to promote responsible ownership and control dog population.
- The QCHDVSD drafts the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for proper operation within 30 days after the ordinance’s effectivity.
Incentives for Responsible Ownership
- Dog owners who have their dogs castrated by the QCHDVSD receive a 20% discount for pet registration fees.
Budget Appropriation and Funding Continuity
- The amount necessary to implement the ordinance is taken from the annual budget of the QCHDVSD for 2016.
- An annual budget is thereafter allocated for the ordinance’s continuous operation.
Separability, Repeal, and General Effect
- If any part, section, or provision is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts continue in full force and effect under the separability clause.
- All ordinances, executive orders, rules, regulations, or parts thereof that are inconsistent with this ordinance are repeated or modified accordingly under the repealing clause.