Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3032

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO.

AN ACT
PROVIDING THE LIABILITY OF OWNERS FOR DOG BITES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Latest data from the DOH’s National Center for Disease Prevention and Control
reveal that the Philippines is ranked 6th among countries with the highest reported
incidents of rabies in the world. Despite this being a significant improvement from 2000
figures which ranked the country in 3" place, statistics show that this translates to 350
to 400 Filipinos dying due to rabies annually. These are still alarming figures given that
rabies is 100 percent fatal once neglected. But it is also 100 percent preventable if
treated immediately

Republic Act No. 9482 or the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 was enacted to help
prevent the spread of rabies. It mandated that dogs must be vaccinated annually and
registered with the local government units. It also prohibited pet owners from allowing
their dogs to roam outside their house. It, however, does not focus in promoting
responsible ownership of dogs.

This bill, therefore, subjects owners of dogs to damages to encourage them to
act responsibly in taking their dogs out in public and in allowing interactions between
their dogs and people on their property. More importantly, this will reduce the number
of serious injuries resulting from dog bites, and also prevent the spread of rabies.


In view of the paramount importance of this bill, we urge our colleagues to ensure
its immediate passage into law.

DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO GLORI K MACAPAGAL ARROYO

Second District, Camarines Sur Second District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philipping
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

House BillNo,__ 3032

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
PROVIDING 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 in a 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 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 or 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;

(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 Two 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. 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 5. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any provision of this Act is
declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof which
are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

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

following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,