Scope and Coverage
- Applies to all persons or entities (private or government) engaged in transporting, trading, or slaughtering dogs and cats.
- "Person" includes responsible officers in corporations, partnerships, and organizations.
Key Definitions
- Apprehension: Taking custody of a person to answer for an offense, restricting personal liberty.
- Cruelty/Maltreatment: Includes overcrowding, improper restraints (e.g., tin cans, wires), failure to provide food and water, inhumane conditions during transport or trade.
- Evidence: Objects, documents, vehicles, live or dead animals related to prohibited acts.
- Animals: Dogs and cats only.
- Shelter: Registered housing facility providing protection and proper shelter for animals.
- Shipping Permit: Document authorizing animal transport after required documentation.
- DA-BAI-AWD: Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry-Animal Welfare Division.
Prohibited Acts
- Failure to present valid rabies vaccination certificate with detailed vaccine information.
- Maintaining unclean or inadequate transport facilities.
- Failure to provide adequate food and water during transit over 12 hours or when necessary.
- Use of cruel restraints like trussing, improvised muzzles (except plastic cords for less than 30 minutes).
- Cruel confinement such as overcrowding or insufficient ventilation in transport or holding.
- Exposing animals unnecessarily to extreme weather.
- Torturing, neglecting, or maltreating dogs and cats during transport, display, or holding.
- Transporting animals in enclosed, poorly ventilated, and dark vehicle compartments.
Procedure for Enforcement
- Apprehension: Any person with information may report to police or BAI-AWD/deputized officers for immediate action.
- Violators caught in the act are reported for criminal and administrative charges.
- BAI-AWD acts as complainant; reporters serve as witnesses.
- Criminal charges filed per Rules of Court; citizens' arrest allowed if caught in act.
Evidence Preservation
- Law enforcement must classify and tag all evidence, including live or dead animals.
- Detailed reports must document rescue/apprehension information and relevant veterinary examinations.
- Supporting documents: affidavits, photos, videos, confessions, equipment, police records.
Care for Rescued Animals
- Immediate relief from restraints after clearance.
- Licensed veterinarians assess animals for treatment or euthanasia.
- Euthanasia only for incurable communicable diseases, alleviation of suffering, or preventing danger to humans.
- Euthanasia conducted by licensed vets with privacy measures per established codes.
Turn Over of Evidence
- Rescued animals and dead bodies, properly tagged or microchipped, turned over to local pounds or BAI-registered shelters.
- Dead animals disposed of properly with certification by local authorities and veterinarians.
Reportorial Requirements
- BAI and deputized officers receive copies of complaints.
- BAI monitors case progress and aids successful prosecution.
Penalties
- Violators face imprisonment from six months to two years, fines from P1,000 to P5,000, or both.
- Juridical persons’ responsible officers serve imprisonment.
- Alien violators deported immediately after sentence without further proceedings.
Separability Clause
- If any provision is found invalid, other unaffected provisions remain effective.
Repealing Clause
- Prior inconsistent administrative orders or regulations are repealed or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- Rules take effect 15 days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.