THE movement to enhance animal welfare legislation brought to light by the recent brutal killing of Killua, a golden retriever in Camarines Sur, has reached the House of Representatives.

During the daily press briefing at the House of Representatives, Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. David “Jayjay” Suarez condemned the killing of Killua, as he vowed to support any move to investigate the matter and craft legislation to enhance animal welfare laws.

“I do share the sentiments of Senator Grace Poe, my heart bleeds when I heard about the news and I will support any investigation and legislation to promote animal welfare dito po sa ating bansa,” Suarez, an owner of 13 dogs, said.

Earlier, Sen. Poe said she was enraged and heartbroken to learn about the case of Killua, who was brutally killed by a man, claiming the dog chased his child.

“Kami ng family namin we had a lot of dogs. Ang noong nalaman ko po iyong balita na iyon nga ang nangyari, siyempre, you know it’s sad and of course it’s unfortunate and it is indeed a wake-up call for us legislators to revisit the law and to find out if it would require stiffer penalties and when it comes to enforcement,” he added.

One of the amendments to the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 that he sees is empowering local government units in the enforcement of the law.

“What should be done? Siguro kailangan din nating tingnan kung paano din po natin palalakasin iyong mga LGUs in enforcing this. Kasi sila naman po talaga iyong nasa grassroots, sila naman po talaga iyong nasa baba, dapat siguro mapalakas din po natin iyong mga kakayahan ng mga LGUs to address you know issues such as animal welfare and proper care of animals for that matter,” Suarez said.

Davao Oriental Cheeno Almario, who also owns eight dogs, said the killer of Killua should not have resorted to such fatal action against the dog.

“It really hurts as an animal lover na bakit iyon pa ang ginawa ano? I’d understand siguro kung tinakot niya para hindi lumapit. Konting pitik lang para lang umalis. Pero to kill the animal already speaks of the motive, that there is really an intent to end the life of that animal,” Almario said.

“I think, to me, it is tantamount to straight up murder. It may not involve another human being pero to an animal who is loved and cared by its owner, masakit din na bagay iyon. I’m not so sure, I cannot speak on behalf of Congress if there is a bill already to increase (penalties), but if ever there is, then we will support it, definitely,” he added.

House Assistant Majority Leader Raul Angelo “Jil” D. Bongalon of Ako Bicol Partylist said now is the best time to revisit the Animal Welfare Act of 1998.

“I think it would be the best time for us to revisit this Animal Welfare Act. And as mentioned, the maximum penalty of imprisonment for the violation, for instance, sa killing of an animal is 6 months to one year of imprisonment, with the penalty or a fine of not exceeding 100,000 pesos,” Bongalon, a lawyer, said.

“But then again, I would like to address also another issue, I guess the lack of awareness of the people that there is a law that protects animal welfare. So, I guess that should also be addressed by the local government units, by barangays and other the NGO’s,” he added.

He urged the Philippine Animal Welfare Society to look into the matter of raising the awareness of people of the law, of the penalties that will be imposed if a person hurts or kills an animal.

“Hindi naman po tama na dapat umabot tayo sa punto na patayin mo yung aso. So, kung may mga kailangang gawin, we can also ask the assistance of the local government unit, the barangay officials. Again, lets also intensify the awareness that there is a law that punishes for the cruelty for any kind na ginagawa ho natin sa ating pong mahalagang hayop,” Bongalon said.