Senator Grace Poe is pushing for the passage of the measure that seeks to improve the state of animal welfare in our country and put an end to despicable incidents such as what happened to the Golden Retriever "Killua".

"​I am heart-broken and enraged, to hear of the mauling of Killua, a Golden Retriever.  Mr. Anthony Solares admitted to slaughtering Killua, claiming that the dog chased his child. However, his actions which were captured in a CCTV video, were fraught with excessive violence and shows that it was Killua who was being chased," Poe said on Wednesday, March 20.

"In light of this and other numerous reports of cruelty, neglect, and abandonment of animals, I have filed a proposed law to improve the state of animal welfare in our country. Senate Bill No. 2458 entitled, 'the Revised Animal Welfare Act' shall include Mandatory Animal Welfare Education in the curriculum for primary and secondary education students," she added.  

Poe added that the bill also creates a Barangay Animal Welfare Task Force, which will enable local officers to address the animal welfare issues with dispatch.  

It is envisioned that they shall work hand in hand with the corps of Animal Welfare Enforcement Officers (AWEO) from non-government organizations, citizens' groups, community organizations, and other volunteers who have undergone the necessary training and have been deputized by the Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary as well as animal welfare enforcement officers from law enforcement agencies.

​The bill is pending before the Senate Committee on Agriculture.

In relation to what happened to Killua, Poe said that it is up to the courts to decide on the matter. 

However, she says that the public should be aware that there are laws that prohibit and punish the cruel treatment of animals.​

The Animal Welfare Act of 1998, amended by Republic Act (RA) No.10631, states the following:

"It shall be unlawful for any person to torture any animal, to neglect to provide adequate care, sustenance of shelter, or maltreat any animal or to subject any dog or horse to dogfights or horsefights, kill or cause or procure to be tortured or deprived of adequate care, sustenance or shelter, or maltreat or use the same in research or experiments not expressly authorized by the Committee on Animal Welfare."

"If we are to create a kinder society where animals and humans can co-exist in harmony, we must raise awareness on the proper, responsible, and humane manner of treating animals," Poe said.