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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Killua's brutal killing a 'wake-up call' to amend animal welfare law, says Villafuerte

Killua's brutal killing a 'wake-up call' to amend animal welfare law, says Villafuerte

Published Mar 25, 2024 08:28 am

At A Glance

  • Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte appealed to fellow lawmakers in Congress to amend the existing Animal Welfare Act following the cruel killing of the Golden Retriever, Killua.

killua.jpgKillua

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte appealed to fellow lawmakers in Congress to amend the existing Animal Welfare Act following the cruel killing of the Golden Retriever, Killua.

“We are hoping that Killua’s senseless death in the hands of its owners’ neighbor would be a wake-up call for the members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate to act on proposed amendatory laws meant to tone up the 26-year-old Animal Welfare Act,” Villafuerte said in a statement on Monday, March 25.

He noted that the uproar on social media underscores the “increasing consciousness” of Filipinos on animal welfare, which needs to be matched by existing laws.

One measure that aims to do this is House Bill (HB) No. 6059 or “The Revised Animal Welfare Act”, which Villafuerte introduced in 2022.

The bill sought to update Republic Act (RA) No. 8485, or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 and RA No. 10631, which amended RA No.8485.

It proposes the establishment of the Animal Welfare Bureau (AWB), which will be an attached agency to the Department of Agriculture (DA). It shall handle state supervision and regulation for dealing with animals.

HB No. 6069 will make it unlawful to torture, abuse, exploit any animal, to neglect to provide adequate care, sustenance or shelter, or maltreat any animals, cause or procure to be tortured, or deprive such animals of adequate care sustenance or shelter, or maltreat or use the same in research or experiments not expressly authorized by the proposed AWB.

Any person who subjects any animal to cruelty, torture, maltreatment or any of the prohibited acts shall face a penalty of imprisonment of six months and a minimum fine of P30,000.

This proposed measure is currently pending with the House Committee on Agriculture and Food.

Villafuerte expressed optimism that both the House and Senate could attend to pending legislations that promote animal welfare once the 19th Congress reopens after its Lenten break.

Killua was reportedly beaten to death by a neighbor of the dog’s owner. The remains of the dog were later found in a sack.

The National Unity Party (NUP) president raised doubts on the assailant’s claim that he had simply acted in self-defense. He argues that Golden Retrievers “are among the most popular breeds and most ideal family companions because of their playfulness plus loving and affectionate behavior”.

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Animal welfare lray villafuerte killua
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