Legal responsibilities of dog owners

Legal responsibilities of dog owners "I just received a Shih Tzu from my girlfriend. One of our friends told me that pet owners have legal responsibilities, especially when it came to preventing the spread of rabies. Is this true? JorgeDear Jorge, Your friend is right. Since you are now a pet owner, you have legal responsibilities over the Shih Tzu that was given to you by your girlfriend. In consonance with Section 5 of Republic Act (RA) 9482, otherwise known as the “Anti-Rabies Act of 2007,” pet owners such as yourself are required to:“(a) Have their Dog regularly vaccinated against Rabies and maintain a registration card which shall contain all vaccinations conducted on their Dog, for accurate record purposes. “(b) Submit their Dogs for mandatory registration.“(c) Maintain control over their Dog and not allow it to roam the streets or any Public Place without a leash. “(d) Be a responsible Owner by providing their Dog with proper grooming, adequate food and clean shelter.“(e) Within twenty-four (24) hours, report immediately any Dog biting incident to the Concerned Officials for investigation or for any appropriate action and place such Dog under observation by a government or private veterinarian.“(f) Assist the Dog bite victim immediately and shoulder the medical expenses incurred andother incidental expenses relative to the victim’s injuries.” (Emphasis supplied) Given that these obligations are imposed under the law, it is important for you to comply thereto. Your failure or refusal to comply with any of the aforementioned responsibilities have legal repercussions, as provided under Section 11 of RA 9482,“Penalties. —“(1) Pet Owners who fail or refuse to have their Dog registered and immunized against Rabies shall be punished by a fine of Two thousand pesos (P2,000.00).“(2) Pet Owners who refuse to have their Dog vaccinated against Rabies shall be liable to pay for the vaccination of both the Dog and the individuals Bitten by their Dog.“(3) Pet Owners who refuse to have their Dog put under observation after said Dog has Bitten an individual shall be meted a fine of Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00).“(4) Pet Owners who refuse to have their Dog put under observation and do not shoulder the medical expenses of the person Bitten by their Dog shall be meted a fine of Twenty-five thousand pesos (P25,000.00)“(5) Pet Owners who refuse to put leash on their Dogs when they are brought outside the house shall be meted a fine of Five hundred pesos (P500.00) for each incident. x x x”We hope that we were able to answer your queries. Please be reminded that this advice is based solely on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. Our opinion may vary when other facts are changed or elaborated.Editor’s note: Dear PAO is a daily column of the Public Attorney’s Office. Questions for Chief Acosta may be sent to dearpao@manilatimes.net" - https://www.affordablecebu.com/