Disposal of pet wastes in public places in Cebu City mandated

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Council has passed an ordinance mandating all pet owners to collect and dispose of the waste excreted by their pets on the streets, sidewalks, gutters, and other public places in the city.

Authored by Councilor Nestor Archival, Sr., the ordinance is entitled, “Pet Wastes Collection and Disposal Ordinance of the City of Cebu.”

“It is observed that it has been an adverse practice of some pet owners to take their dogs out for a walk or a little run in the sidewalks, streets, gutters, and other public places and then letting their pets excrete without however collecting and disposing the waste emitted by their pets,” read the ordinance.

“Aside from the environmental and health hazards it brings, this negative practice needs to be addressed because it also causes unnecessary hassle and delay to other residents especially to the neighbourhood of these pet owners who will be forced to dispose of the waste by themselves because of the deliberate refusal and neglect of the pet owners to do so,” it added.

Section 5 states that it shall be prohibited for all pet owners to take and allow their pets to go outside their premises and let them sojourn with or without their owner in the sidewalks, streets, gutters, public places and in the neighbourhood and allow them to excrete and leave the waste thereat without collecting and disposing of the same.

This measure applies to all pet or domesticated animal owners, whether temporarily or permanently residing in the city, including those who transits or enters, and who shall carry, transport, and sojourn with their pets within the city’s territorial jurisdiction.

Under Section 7, the violators will be penalized with a fine of P1,000 for first offense; P2,000 for second offense; P4,000 for third offense; and P5,000 for the fourth and succeeding offenses.

Provided, however, that the violator shall be given seven days to settle or pay the corresponding fine, otherwise a formal complaint for the violation shall be filed against him/her in a competent court.

In case of the inability of the offender to pay the fine imposed within the prescribed period, he/she has the option to render community service, which shall be implemented and managed by the barangay where such violator belongs.

For the first offense, 16 hours; second offense, 24 hours; third offense, 40 hours; and fourth and succeeding offenses, 72 hours.

The Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) and the deputized personnel from barangays with respect to their territorial jurisdictions, are authorized to implement and enforce the ordinance and to ensure strict compliance by all pet owners in the city. — GMR (FREEMAN)