Taguig City restricts pet animals in crowded areas

MANILA, Philippines – Keeping of animals or livestock in densely populated areas in Taguig City in Metro Manila is now prohibited. In GMA's primetime news program “24 Oras," it was reported that the city council has approved Ordinance 71, “restricting the keeping, maintaining and harboring of livestock/animals in areas declared by the city of Taguig as "resettlement area, depressed informal settlers colony, and other areas covered by the provisions of the ordinance." The city council had cited public health and safety as reasons for the new policy. A list of prohibited animals and livestock includes both domesticated and non-domesticated. These are horses, monkeys, carabaos, chickens, goats, turkeys, pigs, dogs, doves, cats, hamsters, and rabbits. Also in the list are “birds of prey" such as eagles, hawks, owls and falcons; “mammals of prey" like large cats and bears and “crocodilians" – which include, but not limited to, any of various reptiles like alligators, crocodiles and gavials. “Many complaints have been received by city officials and employees pertaining to the keeping or harboring by some residents of non-domesticated animals," the ordinance stated. “Keeping of non-domesticated animals in densely populated neighborhood poses health and safety hazards to residents," the ordinance said. Areas where the animals are prohibited will be designated by the city government based on consultations with local leaders in high-density residential areas and depressed informal settlers’ colony. Violators of the ordinance will be charged with misdemeanor and will be fined not more than P500 and/or imprisonment of not exceeding thirty (30) days.- Fidel Jimenez, GMANews.TV