House approves measure boosting Animal Welfare Act on last session day

House of Representatives. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – On the last session day of the 15th Congress, the House of Representatives approved a measure strengthening the Animal Welfare Act on third and final reading.

House Bill 6893 seeks steeper penalties on animal welfare offenses by penalizing violators of the law with maximum imprisonment of two years and fine not exceeding P100,000 if the maltreated or neglected animal dies.

If the animal survives but suffers from severe injuries, violators of the law will be imprisoned for a year and six months and may face a fine worth P50,000.

If cruelty towards an animal does not result in its death or injuring it to an extent that it cannot survive on its own, a fine of P30,000 and six months in jail awaits violators of the law.

The bill amends Republic Act No. 8485 otherwise known as “An Act To Promote Animal Welfare In The Philippines, Otherwise Known As “The Animal Welfare Act Of 1998.”