(UPDATE) The killing of Killua, a golden retriever in Camarines Norte prompted lawmakers to push measures that seek to better protect animals.Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri lauded Sen. Mary Grace Poe for filing a bill that seeks to promote the welfare of animals.

"I would like to thank Sen. Grace Poe for this special occasion. This is probably a restored day for the Senate. This is the first time I have seen animals in the Senate," said Zubiri during a plenary session on Tuesday, March 19.

The Senate chief proposed to make the new Senate building in Taguig a pet-friendly building. "We are going to transfer to Bonifacio Global City very soon, and I think we should make it a pet-friendly building where we can take our pets. When I saw my dog, my blood pressure just went down," Zubiri added.

Poe has taken up the cudgels for abused, abandoned and neglected animals by proposing a law seeking to protect and promote their welfare.

In a privilege speech on Tuesday, March 19, Poe said she filed Senate Bill (SB) 2458, or the "Revised Animal Welfare Act," which seeks to strengthen Republic Act (RA) 8485 as amended by RA 10631 by improving the capacity of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in addressing animal welfare issues through a proper bureau that will effectively implement and enforce animal welfare policies.

"This bill shall firmly establish standards geared toward engendering responsible pet ownership, as well as ethical behavior and accountability from all those who have control over or provide care to animals," Poe said.

Poe said that under the bill, which is pending in the Senate Committee on Agriculture, a Barangay Animal Welfare Task Force will be created to speedily address animal welfare concerns.

The bill also calls for the secretary of the DA to deputize animal welfare enforcement officers volunteers. "Animals can't vote. They can't donate to campaigns, stage protest rallies or conduct rallies. [But] occupying the top of the food chain does not give us the license to handle animals with barbarity," Poe said.

She raised the need to amend the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 to include mandatory animal welfare education in the curriculum for primary and secondary education students.

The senator on Tuesday said she was "heartbroken and enraged" to hear of the mauling of Killua, a golden retriever, by a Anthony Solares.

Poe said the public should be aware that there are laws which prohibit and punish the cruel treatment of animals.

"In light of this and other numerous reports of cruelty, neglect and abandonment of animals, I have filed a proposed law to improve the state of animal welfare in our country," Poe said, referring to SB 2458.

"We hope to pass this bill soon and put an end to despicable incidents such as what happened to Killua," she said.

Sen. Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito said that as a fellow dog lover, "witnessing the disturbing video of Killua, a golden retriever, being brutally killed is truly heartbreaking."

"Our beloved companions, often considered man's best friend, should never be subjected to such cruelty," the senator said.

He said the incident underscored the need to pass SB 2458. "Strengthening our laws to protect the welfare of animals is paramount to prevent such senseless acts of violence."

Poe said Solares admitted killing Killua, claiming the dog chased his child.

However, his actions, which were captured in a closed-circuit television video (CCTV), "were fraught with excessive violence and shows that it was Killua who was being chased," she said.

The Animal Welfare Act of 1998, amended by RA 10631, states that it would be "unlawful for any person to torture any animal, to neglect to provide adequate care, sustenance of shelter or maltreat any animal."

House Deputy Speaker and Quezon 2nd District Rep. David "Jay-jay" Suarez said the killing of Killua in Camarines Sur is a wake-up call for lawmakers to revisit the law and determine whether stiffer penalties are needed.

In a press conference of lawmakers on Wednesday, Suarez said his heart bled when he heard of the news.

He said that "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 will require stiffer penalties and, when it comes to enforcement, what should be done?"

Suarez said that he "will support any investigation and legislation to promote animal welfare in the country."

Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. Luis Raymund "LRay" Villafuerte Jr. hoped his proposal to amend the Animal Welfare Act would be "among those given top attention" when session resumes after the Holy Week break.

The House was set to adjourn session on Wednesday, March 20, and will resume session on April 29.

"The senseless beating to death last weekend of the three-year-old Retriever named Killua — and in my home province at that — should be a wake-up call for the 19th Congress to pass pending legislation advancing animal welfare and toughening measures against cruelty to or other acts of violence against our fur babies and all other animals," Villafuerte said in a message to The Manila Times.

"With the House's approval of all the initial priority measures identified by the President with the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council, I am hoping that my bill promoting animal welfare will be among those given top attention when we lawmakers resume sessions after our Lenten break," said Villafuerte, who filed House Bill 6059 in November 2022.

Villafuerte called on the authorities in Bato town "to speed up their investigation of Killua's killing."

ABS-CBN News reported on Tuesday that Maj. Ronald Brugada, police chief of the Bato Municipal Police Station, "assured the public that a thorough investigation was underway."

Davao Oriental 2nd District Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario, who owns eight dogs, said in the Wednesday press conference that "when you own so many animals that you care for and you really give the attention to, it really hurts, 'no, as an animal lover na ba't 'yun pa kaya, 'yun pa 'yung ginawa, no."

He expressed support for increasing the penalty under the Animal Welfare Act.

For House Assistant Majority Leader and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Raul Angelo "Jil" Bongalon, "it would be the best time for us to revisit" the Animal Welfare Act.

Bongalon also called for intensifying awareness that there is a law punishing animal cruelty.

Under the law as amended, the penalty is imprisonment of one year and six months and one day to two years and/or a fine not exceeding P100,000 "if the animal subjected to cruelty, maltreatment or neglect dies."

Condemnation

Meanwhile, animal rights group Animal Kingdom Foundation has condemned the death of Killua in Camarines Sur over the weekend, which became viral among Filipino netizens.

The golden retriever was found dead inside a sack by the Arazas family on Sunday, March 17. Solares is being accused for the dog's death.

"The senseless death of Killua is a heartbreaking reminder of why we need to advocate for a better animal welfare law and start changing how humans treat animals for the better," the group said in a statement on Wednesday, March 20.

"The agony of Killua's family left us all teary-eyed as the circumstances of the dog's death shocked and outraged the public. If a beloved purebred dog like Killua can fall prey to human cruelty, how much more can a stray dog or cat fight and protect itself against the face of wickedness [o]n the street," they added. "Let us end animal cruelty. We have the power to make a difference in the lives of animals. Please help us ensure that individuals who cause animal suffering like Killua are held accountable for their actions."

WITH REINA C. TOLENTINO AND ARIC JOHN SY CUA