Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 30) — A bill was filed at the House of Representatives proposing the establishment of at least one dog station in every mall where pet owners can leave their dogs while shopping.
Parañaque 1st District Rep. Edwin Olivarez filed House Bill No. 7108 or “Dog Stations in Shopping Malls Act” last February.
\”There is now close to 9 million households across the country with at least one dog,\” the bill read. \”Clearly, pet dogs are becoming part of the Filipino family.\”
\”After all, if pet dogs are being considered as man’s best friend or even a member of a family, we should allow their owners to have the option to bring with them their pet dogs whenever they go to the malls instead of just leaving them in their homes.\”
According to the bill, shopping malls should also hire qualified personnel that will oversee the welfare of the dogs in the station.
The mall may also collect \”reasonable\” fees or charges from pet owners who wish to leave their dogs at the station, it added.
Further, for shopping malls that are yet to be established, mall owners who would fail to include a dog station in their construction plan will warrant the disapproval of their permit to build the mall.
Recently, a Chow Chow reportedly died of heatstroke after it was left under the care of a dog hotel in Antipolo City for six days.
