Animal welfare ordinance sought to be amended

Various animal welfare advocates have filed a petition before the Office of the Mayor, raising objections to portions of the Cebu City Animal Welfare Ordinance, which they described as potentially causing “deplorable injustice and cruelty.”

- Iris Hazel Mascardo/FPL

In a 12-page petition addressed to Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, the groups sought the suspension and amendment of specific provisions of Ordinance No. 2526, Series of 2019, also known as the Animal Welfare Ordinance of Cebu City.

The petitioners argued that certain sections of the measure are “prejudicial to the marginalized and indigent sectors, particularly to pet owners.”

Among the provisions they questioned were: Extortionate and Unwarranted Fees Imposed on Registration and Public Services and Fines for Failure to Comply; Mandatory Submission of Pets for Animal Population Control (Spay and Neuter); and Undue Prejudice Against Marginalized and Indigent Pet Owners in Favor of Pet Breeders in the Reproduction or Procreation of Companion Animals.

“Unfortunately, it seems that there has been a vital element glaringly wanting in the crafting process of the ordinance,” they said.

They added that adequate public consultations with animal welfare groups, stakeholders, and affected pet owners may have been excluded during the drafting of the measure.