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

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

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Grace Poe is all “heartbroken” and “enraged” over the brutal killing of a beloved Golden Retriever named Killua.

Citing the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, Poe emphasized that it is unlawful for any person to torture and maltreat an animal.

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“I am heart-broken and enraged to hear of the mauling of Killua, a Golden Retriever. It is, of course, up to our courts to decide on the matter. However, the public should be aware that there are laws [that] prohibit and punish the cruel treatment of animals,” Poe said in a statement.

“If we are to create a kinder society where animals and humans can co-exist in harmony, we must raise awareness on the proper, responsible, and humane manner of treating animals,” she added.

The killing of Killua sparked a public cry. With the use of the hashtag #JusticeForKillua, numerous netizens condemn a certain Anthony Solares who earlier admitted to mauling the dog.

Solares claimed that Killua chased his child. But in a CCTV footage posted by Vina Rachelle Arazas – Killua’s keeper – on Facebook, Solares was seen hitting the dog, who 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.

The dog was later found by his keepers in a sack.

The brutal killing of Killua prompted Poe to hope for the immediate passage of her measure, Senate Bill No. 2458, otherwise known as the Revised Animal Welfare Act.

The measure seeks to include “Mandatory Animal Welfare Education” in the curriculum for primary and secondary students as well as create a Barangay Animal Welfare Task Force that will enable local officers to address animal welfare concerns promptly.

“This bill is now pending in the Senate Committee on Agriculture. We hope to pass this bill soon and put an end to despicable incidents such as what happened to Killua,” the senator noted.