Lawmakers hit slay of dog Killua that was running away, trying to escape

Beloved Golden Retriever Killua, the dog that was brutally murdered and found by his keepers in a sack. (Photo courtesy of Vina Rachelle / Facebook)

MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers in the House of Representatives have condemned the brutal killing of Killua, a golden retriever in Camarines Sur, as they emphasized the need to revisit the country’s animal welfare laws.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. David “Jayjay” Suarez committed to supporting efforts to investigate Killua’s case and craft legislation to enhance animal welfare laws.

“My heart bleeds when I hear about the news, and I will support any investigation and legislation to promote animal welfare here in our country,” Suarez said.

“We have a lot of dogs at home. So we were saddened when we heard the news. It is a wake-up call for us legislators to revisit the law and find out if it would require stiffer penalties when it comes to enforcement,” he added.

READ: ‘Heartbroken and enraged’: Grace Poe on brutal killing of dog Killua

Assistant Majority Leader and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon said that this is the best time to visit the law.

“The maximum penalty of imprisonment for the violation, for instance, in killing an animal is six months to one year of imprisonment, with the penalty or a fine of not exceeding 100,000 pesos,” Bongalon.

Bongalon also called on the Philippine Animal Welfare Society to raise awareness among the locals and inform them of penalties that will be imposed upon a person who hurts or kills an animal.

The killing of Killua sparked widespread outrage online.

With the use of the hashtag #JusticeForKillua, numerous netizens condemn Anthony Solares, a resident of Camarines Sur who claimed that Killua chased his child.

However, a CCTV footage posted by Vina Rachelle Arazas – Killua’s keeper – on Facebook, Solares was seen chasing and hitting the dog that was running around trying to escape.

In a separate post, Arazas said Killua was probably “anxious and stressed” because the dog was not used to being alone outside.

Killua was later found in a sack by his keepers.