Erring pet owners liable under Responsible Dog Ownership Ordinance

Irresponsible dog owners are liable under City Ordinance No. 19 Series of 2021 or the Responsible Dog Ownership Ordinance of Baguio City.

This reminder was issued after Mayor Benjamin Magalong called out careless dog owners who let their pets defecate on roads, neighbor’s properties, parks and other public places as observed in his rounds of inspection in the barangays.

“This is not only unsanitary, this also exposes your pets to dangers and creates ill feelings among neighbors” the mayor said as he ordered the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO) to intensify the campaign against stray dogs.

Ordinance No. 19-2021 penalizes dog owners who fail to properly perform their duties as dog owners causing discomfort to other people.

The dog owners’ responsibilities as enumerated in the ordinance are:

*They should only acquire and maintain dogs if they are capable and have the means to provide care

*Submit the dogs for mandatory registration and regular vaccination and maintaining updated records *Provide their dogs with proper grooming, adequate food and clean shelter and maintain human-animal relationship and provide good health management programs for their dogs.

*Maintain control over their dogs with the use of a leash when in public places and collect and dispose of their pets’ feces at all times.

*Take all measures to prevent their dogs from being stray or nuisance and report immediately any dog-biting incident and take appropriate precaution, and assist dog bite victims and shoulder all expenses incurred relative to the victim’s injuries.

The ordinance also mandates the registration of their pets with the CVAO or the barangay along with their mandatory vaccination. – Aileen P. Refuerzo