This Puerto Rico statute confers authority to the municipal councils of Puerto Rico to regulate by ordinance, the running at large of domestic animals, destruction and impounding of such animals, as well as the regulation of muzzling and licensing of dogs. In addition, the councils are given authority to enact all needful ordinances to protect the public health as affected by the running at large of domestic animals.
Authority is hereby conferred upon the municipal councils of Puerto Rico to regulate by ordinance, in accordance with such regulations as may be drafted by the Secretary of Health as provided in § 179 of Title 3, the running at large of domestic animals, and the destruction and impounding of same; and to regulate the muzzling and licensing of dogs, the destruction of the same in the interest of public health; and, further, to provide the terms and conditions upon which impounded animals may be redeemed by the owners thereof; and, generally, to enact all needful ordinances having in view the protection of the public health as affected by the running at large of domestic animals.
-- Mar. 7, 1912, No. 24, p. 57, § 1.