Dear Atty. Chris Liquigan,

I often see abused animals in the streets. Most of them are physically abused, with scars on their bodies. Is there a law that protects our animals?

Celestine

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Dear Celestine,

We have an existing Act here in the Philippines called the Republic Act 8485, also known as the "Animal Welfare Act of 1998, as amended by Republic Act 10631," which prohibits the abuse, neglect, or cruelty to any animal.

Under Section 6 of the said law, "[i]t 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 horse fights, 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."

The killing of any animal other than cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits, carabaos and horses is likewise unlawful except in the following instances:

"(1) When it is done as part of the religious rituals of an established religion or sect or a ritual required by tribal or ethnic custom of indigenous cultural communities; however, leaders shall keep records in cooperation with the Committee on Animal Welfare;

"(2) When the pet animal is afflicted with an incurable communicable disease as determined and certified by a duly licensed veterinarian;

"(3) When the killing is deemed necessary to put an end to the misery suffered by the animal as determined and certified by a duly licensed veterinarian;

"(4) When it is done to prevent an imminent danger to the life or limb of a human being;

"(5) When done for the purpose of animal population control;

"(6) When the animal is killed after it has been used in authorized research or experiments; and

"(7) Any other ground analogous to the foregoing as determined and certified licensed veterinarian."

Animals must always be killed humanely in all of the aforementioned situations, including those involving cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits, carabaos, and horses.

Use of the most cutting-edge scientific techniques is what is meant by "humane procedures," as established and approved by the Committee on Animal Welfare. Only methods that have been approved by this committee may be used to put an end to an animal's life. (Sec. 6)

In accordance with Section 9 of the same law, anyone found guilty of abusing, neglecting, or cruelly treating an animal faces a sentence of up to two years in prison, a fine of up to P100,000, or both, depending on the degree of harm caused to the animal.

Hope this helps.

Atty. Chris Liquigan