Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. __53'74

Introduced by the Honorable Anthony Rolando T. Golez, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This proposed bill seeks to promote sanitary and health consciousness among
dog owners and to instill in them the sense of responsibility in caring for their dogs.
Dog feces carry bacteria that can cause diseases and illnesses.

It has been found that pet droppings can contribute to diseases animals Pass to
humans. When infected dog poop is deposited in a lawn, the eggs of certain
roundworms and other parasites can linger in the soil for years. Anyone who comes into
contact with that soil, be it through gardening, playing sports, walking barefoot or any
other means, runs the risk of coming into contact with such eggs and cause sickness to
humans.

‘The parasites that can be brought about by dog feces include Cryptosporidium,
Giardia, Salmonella. It may also harbor hookworms, ringworms and tapeworms.
Sickness that can be brought by dog feces, through said harmful organisms, includes
fever, muscle aches, headache, vomiting, and diarthea. Children are most susceptible,
since they often play in the dirt and put things in their mouths or eyes.

Our Constitution provides for the right of the people to health and this right
necessarily includes the responsibility of each Filipino to maintain cleanliness in their
respective surroundings. This bill seeks to guarantee that public and private places will
always be free from the feces of dogs and other pets.

Approval of the bill is eamestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

4
HOUSE BILL NO. _ 5374

Introduced by the Honorable Anthony Rolando T. Golez, Jr.

“AN ACT DIRECTING OR MANDATING THE IMMEDIATE
CLEANING OR REMOVING OF FECES OF DOGS AND OTHER
PETS IN A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE PROPERTY NOT OWNED
BY THE OWNER OR PERSON IN CHARGE OF THE DOG OR
PET AND IMPOSING PENALTIES IN VIOLATION THEREOF”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Pet Cleanliness Act”.

Section 2. Dec/aration of Policy. The State shall protect and promote the right
to health of the people and instill heaith consciousness among them. The State shall
protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in
accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.

Section 3. Purpose of this Act. This Act requires the immediate removal of
feces of dogs and pets in any piace, public or private not owned by the owner or person.
in charge of a dog. If a dog or a pet defecates at any time in any place, public or
private not owned by the owner or person in charge of the dog or pet at that time, and
said owner or person fails to immediately remove the feces, said owner or person
commits a violation of this Act.

Section 4. Owner or Person in Charge of a Dog. A person who has possession
of a dog or pet shall be taken to be an owner or person in charge of the dog or pet at
any time, unless at that time of the defecation, some other person is in charge of the
dog or pet.


Section 5. Removal of Feces. Placing the dog or pet's feces in a receptade
which is provided for the purpose, or for the disposal of waste, shall be sufficient
removal from the place where the dog defecated. Throwing, depositing, dropping or
otherwise putting the feces on any other place, which is not a receptacle for feces
containment or for disposal of waste, shall not be considered as compliant to this Act.

Section 6. Jgnorance of Defecation not an Excuse. Being unaware of the
defecation, whether by reason of not being in the vicinity or otherwise, or not having a
device for or other suitable means of removing the feces, shall not be a reasonable
excuse for failing to remove the feces. The owner or person in charge of the dog or pet,
which defecated, shall still be deemed to have violated this Act.

Section 7. Exemptions. An owner or person is not guilty of a violation of this act
in the following circumstances:

(a) The owner, occupier and other person or authority having control of
the place has consented (generally or specificalty) to the person failing
to do so.

(b) A blind person, who is in charge of a dog being used for the same
person‘s guidance.

{c) A person in charge of a dog being used in an emergency or rescue
work.

(d) A person with disability, a physical impairment which affects said
person's mobility, manual dexterity, physical coordination or ability to lift,
carry or otherwise move everyday objects.

Section 8. Penalties. Any person found guilty for violation of this Act shall be
required to pay a fine of Five Thousand Pesos (P 5,000.00), without prejudice to liability
under other existing laws.

Section 9. Enforcement. An aggrieved party under this Act may file a complaint
before the Barangay where the place of the violation was committed. The proper
Sangguniang Barangay shall issue the appropriate resolution and issue the order
imposing the fine. A person cannot be held gullty of violating this Act where there is
only one (1) witness presented by a complainant. All complaints under this Act shall be
dispensed quickly in a summary procedure before the Sangguniang Barangay.

Section 10. implementing Rules and Regulations. The Office of the President
and Department of Interior and Local Government shall issue the Implementing Rules
and Regulations of this Act within sixty (60) days after its effectivity.


Section 11. Separability Cause - If any portion or provision of this Act is
declared void or unconstitutional, the remaining portions or provisions thereof shall not
be affected by such declaration.

Section 12. Effectivity Cause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

APPROVED,