A RESOLUTION seeking to ensure that Baguio City streets are free of pet poop has been filed before the City Council.
Councilor Leandro Yañgot, Jr. said his resolution, which asks pet owners to be responsible enough to ensure no poop is left on the city streets, is aimed at preventing Baguio from going in the way of Boracay.
President Rodrigo Duterte ordered Boracay closed for six months effective last April 26. The temporary closure is seen as a short-term solution to address the environmental woes hounding Boracay.
“According to the President, the famous white sand island destination is drowning in feces so that it needs to be shut down to protect the health of millions of visitors. Although far from being a cesspool, Baguio faces a similar challenge. The environmental situation looming over the city could likewise drive local and foreign tourists away unless certain standards are established,” Yangot said.
Under the proposed law, it will be deemed unlawful for any pet owner to permit pets to dirty public and private areas.
“It will be unlawful for the pet owner/keeper to permit or allow such pet to excrete feces on any private property other than that of the pet owner/keeper without the permission of the owner of said property, or on any streets, sidewalks, highways, school grounds, parks or other public property, unless the pet owner/keeper of such animal immediately removes all feces deposited by such animal and disposes of the same in a sanitary manner,” the proposed law said.
If the law is approved, pet owners should have in their possession, a suitable device for the picking up, collection and proper sanitary disposal of the animal feces.
Yangot cited health hazards to waste left lying around the streets.
“When it rains, bacteria and pathogens in pet waste wash directly into the storm drainage system, then into our waterways, untreated. Fecal coliform bacteria, thriving in feces of warm-blooded animals, is a pollutant impacting waterways. Pet waste can also cause conditions like tuberculosis, e coli contamination, cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis,” said Yangot.
Violators will be sanctioned with fines and imprisonment if the new law is not followed.