Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REP! ‘ATIVES
HB. No. 'Soey

Introduced by Representative H. Harry L. Roque Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Dr. Yolanda Oliveros, director of the National Center for Disease Prevention and

Control of the Department of Health, said that the Philippines at present ranked 6th among
countries with highest reported incidents of rabies in the world, Although this- ig zan
improvement from its 3rd position in 2000, still, according to statistics 350 to 400 Filipinos
die because of rabies annually. This number is unacceptable since rabies is a neglected

disease that is 100 percent fatal but 100 percent preventable

‘There already are several measures to prevent the spread of the disease such as the
Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 (Republic Act No, 9482), which provides that dogs must be
vaccinated annually and registered with the local government units, It also prohibits pet
owners from allowing their dogs to roam outside their house, However, none so far focuses

on responsible ownership of dogs.

This bill subjects the owner of the dog to damages. In doing so, it would encourage

dog owners to act responsibly in taking their dogs out in public and in allowing interactions


between their dogs and people on their property. This will reduce the number of serious
injuries resulting from dog bites, and it will also prevent the spread of rabies.”

MA

H. HARRY L. ROQUE JR.

"This bill was originally filed by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago in the Sixteenth Congress, First Regular
Session.


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REP! ATIVES:
HB No DB6D

Introduced by Representative H. Harry L. Roque Jr.

AN ACT
IN RELATION TO THE LIABILITY OF OWNERS FOR DOG BITES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Liability of Owner for Dog Bites. — The owner of any dog is liable for
damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place, or lawfully
ina private place, including the property of the owner of such dog. A person is lawfully upon
the private property of such owner when such person is on such property in the performance
of any duty imposed upon him or her by law, or when he or she is on such property upon the

invitation, express or implied, of the owner.

SECTION 2. Exceptions. — Nothing in this Act shall authorize the bringing of an
action against any government entity or instrumentality using a dog in military or police work
if the bite or bites occurred while the dog was defending itself from an annoying, harassing,
of provoking act, or assisting an employee of the entity or locality in any of the following.

(A) In the apprehension or holding of a suspect where the employee has a
reasonable suspicion of the suspect's involvement in criminal activity;

(B) In the investigation of a crime or a possible crime;

1


(C) In the search for Dangerous Drugs and/or Controlled Precursors and Essential
Chemicals;
(D) In the execution of a warrant,

(E) In the defense of a peace officer or another person.

SECTION 3. Exception to Section 2. — Section 2 of this Act shall not apply in any
‘case where the person who sustained the bite or bites was not a party to, nor suspected to be a
party in, the act or acts that prompted the use of the dog in the military or police work. The
owner of the dog shall not be liable if the dog was coming to the aid or defense of a person
during the commission or attempted commission of a crime or offense upon the owner or

custodian or upon the property of the owner or custodian of the dog

SECTION 4. Separability Clause, — If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof which are not affected

thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or
parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or
modified accordingly

SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days

following its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,