House bill seeks tougher enforcement, new bureau to protect animals

House Deputy Minority Leader and Mamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima has filed a proposed measure seeking to address gaps and strengthen the implementation of Republic Act No. 8485, or the Animal Welfare Act, amid rising cases of animal cruelty in the country.

In filing House Bill No. 7238, also known as the “Revised Animal Welfare Act,” De Lima said the measure aims to establish clear minimum standards for the humane treatment of animals. These include adequate food and water, proper shelter, veterinary medical care, humane transport, and opportunities for animals to express natural behaviors.

She said hundreds of thousands of animals are born into suffering on Philippine streets every year, describing the situation as an escalating crisis of neglect and cruelty that existing laws have failed to contain.

“We have the Animal Welfare Act, but there has been an alarming increase of cases of animal cruelty, underscoring serious gaps in enforcement and local implementation. Ang masakit pa dito, bukod sa marami nang nabalitang kalunos-lunos na sinapit ng mga hayop sa kamay ng mga pabaya at malupit na indibidwal o institusyon, marami pang karahasan ang hindi pa naulat o naitala,” she said.

The proposed measure cited notorious animal abuse cases, including the killing of Killua, a three-year-old golden retriever in Camarines Sur who was allegedly killed by a barangay tanod.

Under HB 7238, rescue and enforcement mechanisms would be strengthened by authorizing the removal of animals from inhumane conditions, institutionalizing animal protection orders, protecting enforcers and concerned citizens from Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP), and imposing graduated and deterrent penalties for acts of cruelty, abandonment, illegal dog meat trading, and aggravated or repeat offenses.

The bill also seeks the creation of an Animal Welfare Bureau under the Department of Agriculture. The bureau would be tasked with issuing animal welfare policies, standards, rules and regulations, and ensuring their implementation through interagency coordination, programs, and agreements.

If enacted, the bureau would also be mandated to develop dog and cat population control programs, excluding killing or euthanasia, in line with humane and necessary practices.

Mercy killing would be allowed under the bill only when a pet animal is afflicted with an incurable communicable disease and the procedure is deemed necessary and certified by a duly licensed veterinarian.

The measure further mandates the establishment of a Barangay Animal Welfare Unit in every barangay to ensure effective and sustained enforcement at the grassroots level.

Apart from the proposed legislation, De Lima also filed House Resolution No. 687 seeking an inquiry into the implementation of the Animal Welfare Act, particularly on the operation and regulation of local government animal pounds and shelters, as well as the effectiveness of existing stray animal population management policies.