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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

6604

House Bill No.

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 GLORIA
Second District, Camarines Sur Second

(CAPAGAL ARROYO
istrict, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

6604

House Bill No.

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,