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PS 1159

Para crear la “Ley del Registro Obligatorio de Caballos de Puerto Rico”, con el propósito de establecer un registro digital obligatorio de todos los caballos en Puerto Rico; disponer la implantación de un sistema de identificación mediante microchip; establecer un mecanismo uniforme para identificar la titularidad de caballos en caso de accidentes o incidentes en las vías públicas; facultar a la Oficina Estatal para el Control de Animales (OECA), adscrita al Departamento de Salud, a administrar dicho registro en colaboración con el Puerto Rico Innovation and Technology Service (PRITS); y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico requires mandatory microchip identification and digital registration of all horses through OECA to establish ownership liability for public road incidents.

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Bill Summary · PS 1159

Legislative bill overview

Bill PS 1159 establishes a mandatory digital registry system for all horses in Puerto Rico, requiring microchip identification for each animal. The law would assign administrative authority to the State Office for Animal Control (OECA) under the Department of Health, in collaboration with Puerto Rico's Innovation and Technology Service (PRITS), to maintain and manage the registry.

Why is this important

This legislation addresses public safety concerns related to horses on public roads by creating a unified identification and ownership tracking system. It would enable authorities to quickly identify horse owners in cases of accidents or incidents, potentially reducing liability disputes and improving animal welfare oversight across the island.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Mandatory microchipping and digital infrastructure require significant funding for both the system development and enforcement; unclear who bears these costs (government, horse owners, or shared)
  • Compliance burden on rural/agricultural communities: Horse ownership is culturally and economically significant in Puerto Rico's rural areas; mandatory registration and microchipping may disproportionately affect small owners with limited resources
  • Data privacy and ownership: Questions about who controls the registry database, how personal ownership information is protected, and whether data could be shared with other government agencies or third parties

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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