Rabies shot
Dear PAO,
We have a new next-door neighbor who moved in to our village just this year. We have a good relationship with this new neighbor. Recently, however, they bought a seven-monthold golden retriever dog. Although my FAMILY fiNDS THEIR NEW DOG TO BE REALLY adorable and charming, it worries us that the dog is yet to receive its rabies vaccine. Considering that we have kids in our house that play outside, we are worried that there might be a biting accident involving our neighbor’s dog. We did our best to talk to our neighbor to remind him to have their new dog vaccinated against rabies. Unfortunately, our neighbor insists that the rabies shot is unnecessary for his docile and full-breed dog. Is there a law that we can use as a basis to require our neighbor to get
Dear Dennis,
Republic Act (RA) 9482, known as the “Anti-Rabies Act of 2007,” requires dog owners to have their dogs vaccinated against rabies. The aim of this law is to control and prevent the spread of human and animal rabies by mandating specific requirements and guidelines, including penalties to promote safe and responsible pet ownership.
In relation to your concern, this law enumerates the responsibilities of pet owners to:
“xxx
“(a) Have their dog regularly vaccinated against rabies and maintain a registration card which shall contain all vaccinations conducted on their Dog, for accurate record purposes. (Sec. 5, RA 9482)
“Xxx”
The need to vaccinate pet dogs against rabies as an obligation to all dog owners is clear from the above-cited provision. Your neighbor’s claim that rabies vaccination is unnecessary since the dog is supposedly docile is misplaced. The law does not exempt dogs regardless of perceived docility and does not differentiate between dogs of different traits or breed. The threat of rabies remains for unvaccinated dogs and, thus, insistence on not having them vaccinated is both irresponsible and illegal.
Lastly, your neighbor should be reminded that RA 9482 imposes a fine of P2,000 against pet owners who fail or refuse to have their pets immunized against rabies. (Sec. 11, Id.). In addition to this, there is also a provision in RA 9842 that allows for the impounding of unvaccinated dogs. Considering the legal consequences, it is best for your neighbor to have their dog vaccinated as provided for by the law.
We hope that we were able to answer your queries. This advice is based solely on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. Our opinion may vary when other facts are changed or elaborated.