Senator Grace Poe called on Congress to pass the revised Animal Welfare Act to end the daily violence against animals.
Sponsoring the bill in plenary, Poe emphasized the need for compassion and swift action.
“By passing the Revised Animal Welfare Act, we take a firm stand against cruelty and ensure that every animal in our country is treated with the care and respect it deserves,” according to her.
“They say a dog is a human’s best friend. Well, before this Congress adjourns, let’s make it clear—humans are a dog’s best friend, too. And not just dogs but all other animals.”
A pet owner herself, the senator has seven dogs at home.
The bill amends the 1998 Animal Welfare Act, strengthening legal safeguards against abuse.
Poe stressed the need for updates to address modern challenges, citing cases like Killua, a golden retriever clubbed to death, and dogs dragged to slaughterhouses.
“Violence against animals is not an abstract concern. It is a grim reality unfolding in our country every single day. We need a revised law, with stronger fangs if we may say,” the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance said.
Senate Bill No. 2458, now part of a committee report, proposes:
-Ensuring clean water, food, and shelter for animals, ending neglect
-Recognizing animal care as a right, with annual checkups and prompt medical aid
-Establishing humane transport standards for pets and livestock
-Banning the dog meat trade, ear cropping, tail docking, cruel confinement, and de-vocalization, except for medical reasons
-Imposing stricter penalties for animal cruelty and neglect
-Promoting spaying, neutering, and vaccination to control stray populations and rabies
-Putting an end to animal blood sports like dogfighting.
The bill also mandates creating an Animal Welfare Bureau under the Department of Agriculture to enforce regulations.IMT
