Baguio City Council Suspends the Implementation of Mandatory Dog Microchipping
The city council suspends the implementation of mandatory dog microchipping in the city as they wait for the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Ordinance 60-2020 to be crafted by the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO).
In a form of a resolution on motion of Councilor Benny Bomogao, the decision to suspend the mandatory dog microchipping was made. However, the council clarifies that those who would like to register and microchip their dogs may still avail of the said services while the suspension is in place.
This move, as reported by the Sangguniang Panlungsod Baguio, is taken after a number of dog owners sought an audience with the council members during the regular session on August 24, 2020.
Say of Concerned Dog Owners
Here are some of what the concerned dog owners and petitioners have to say about the city’s dog microchipping:
According to Atty. Duchess Anselmo, a dog owner, the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 or Republic Act 9482, which the local ordinance hinges on, only stipulates mandatory registration but not mandatory microchipping. “…A microchip is not the same as a dog tag.” Anselmo argued.
Anselmo also said that a microchip does not function as a GPS device where you can trace the pet’s location and then further stressed the microchip serves no other purpose than merely for record-keeping.
Furthermore, Tedy Escorpizo and Sergi Musni, also dog owners, said that making dog microchipping mandatory is a “violation of the owner’s right to decide on what is best for their pets.”
They also made mention of a few health risks of microchip implantation on pets which includes hair loss, infection, migration, swelling, and tumor, as they cited studies on microchipping on animals.
Say of CVAO
However, according to the Head of CVAO, Dr. Brigit Piok, only dogs weighing at least 3 kgs and with the age of three (3) months and above shall be microchipped. Sick and old dogs, On the other hand, shall be spared.
“To ensure safety, the veterinarian will assess the health status of the dogs before they get microchipped,” added the CVAO chief.
Moreover, she also clarified that dog owners are given the option of whether the microchip is to be implanted under the dog’s skin or placed on its collar instead.
To help decongest the overcrowded animal pound of the city, Piok also proposed for the establishment of an animal shelter which is to be initiated by animal welfare groups.
Concerns may be Addressed by Amendments to the law
Although Councilor Philian Weygan-Allan, a co-author, stressed that the ordinance has to be implemented, she also said that the petitioners’ concerns may be addressed by introducing amendments to the law.
Thus, the dog owners’ petition has been forwarded by Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan to the Sangguniang’s Committee on Laws, Human Rights, and Justice chaired by Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda for the possible amendment of the ordinance.
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