Penalty awaits owners of pets oozing on city streets

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

Archival made the proposal following 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 then letting their pets excrete without however collecting and disposing the waste emitted by their pets.

“Aside from the environmental and health hazards it brings, this scenario needs to be addressed because it also causes unnecessary hassle and delay to other residents especially to the neighborhood of these pet owners who will be forced to dispose the waste because of the deliberate refusal and neglect of the pet owners to do so,” read the proposed ordinance.

The proposed ordinance entitled, “Pet Wastes Collection and Disposal Ordinance of the City of Cebu” was referred to the council’s committee on laws, ordinances, and styling for review.

Section 5 of the proposed ordinance provides that it shall be prohibited for all pet owners to take or 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 neighborhood and allowing the pet to excrete and leave the waste thereat without collecting and disposing of the same.

The proposed 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.

Violators will be penalized with a fine of P1,000 for first offense; P3,000 for second offense; P4,000 for third offense; and P5,000 for the fourth and succeeding offense.

It is also provided that in case of violation(s) of the ordinance by a partnership, corporation, association or any juridical entity, the partner, president, director, manager, trustee, administrator, or officer who consents to or allows the commission of such violation shall be held liable.

Once approved, the City Health Department and City Veterinary Office shall be responsible for the drafting of the implementing rules and regulations of the ordinance, and shall manage and monitor its proper implementation.

The Cebu City Traffic Office, in coordination with the Cebu Environmental Sanitation and Enforcement Team (CESET) and deputized personnel from barangays, are authorized to assist in the implementation and enforcement and ensure strict compliance by the city residents. — GMR (FREEMAN)