Stiffer penalties for irresponsible dog owners in Alabat enforced

By Engr. Jay B. Laurino Residents of Barangay Pambilan Norte attend the first special assembly launching Alabat's implementation of Admi...

By Engr. Jay B. Laurino

Residents of Barangay Pambilan Norte attend the first special assembly launching Alabat's implementation of Administrative Order No. 002 on responsible pet ownership, mandatory dog registration and stray dog control. (Municipality of Alabat-Public Information Office)

ALABAT, Quezon — Pet ownership carries legal responsibilities beyond keeping an animal, with local governments authorized to require registration, vaccination and measures that protect public health and road safety. Stricter rules on dog ownership took effect under Administrative Order No. 002, Series of 2026, requiring registration, vaccination and stronger enforcement against stray animals.

The municipality recently launched the rollout of the order after Barangay Pambilan Norte convened the first mandatory special assembly required under the policy. Pambilan Norte became the first of Alabat's 19 barangays to begin implementing the order.



Alabat will extend the rollout to its remaining 18 barangays before enforcement enters its next phase. Municipal officials directed every barangay to convene the required assemblies within the prescribed period.

Administrative Order No. 002 requires pet owners to register and vaccinate their dogs before enforcement begins. The order also directs every barangay to organize a Barangay Dog Catching Team to carry out stray dog operations.

Mayor Eizelle "Ays" M. Avellano-Canimo recognized Pambilan Norte as the first barangay to implement the order. She urged the remaining barangays to complete the rollout and comply with the new requirements.

The Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office, the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist and the Rural Health Unit will lead the registration and vaccination campaign in every barangay. Authorities will issue official dog tags to registered pets and fine owners ₱100 for failing to register them.

The agencies will announce the registration and vaccination schedules after coordinating with barangays. MENRO, the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist and the Rural Health Unit will conduct the activities in each barangay.

Each barangay will organize dog-catching teams and establish temporary impounding areas for stray animals. Authorities will prohibit dogs without official identification tags from roaming outside their owners' properties once enforcement begins.

Municipal Ordinance No. 3, Series of 2022, governs penalties for impounded dogs. Owners must pay a ₱500 redemption fee, with ₱300 going to the barangay and ₱200 awarded to the person who caught the animal.

Owners who fail to claim an impounded dog within 48 hours must also pay a ₱25 daily storage fee. The municipality may place unclaimed dogs up for adoption after three days.

Dog owners whose animals bite another person must shoulder the victim's medical expenses and pay a ₱2,500 fine. Residents may also surrender dogs they can no longer care for to the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office.

Barangay captains must convene a special assembly within 30 days and submit attendance records, meeting minutes and photo documentation within five days after the gathering. Officials who fail to comply may face administrative charges for insubordination and gross negligence under the Local Government Code.

With the rollout now underway, Alabat will extend the policy to all 19 barangays before moving into full enforcement. Residents who violate the municipality's registration and animal control requirements will face the penalties provided under the administrative order and the existing ordinance.