Killing of dog 'Killua' slammed in Senate

At least two senators on Wednesday slammed the killing of a Labrador Retriever named "Killua" in Camarines Sur and called for the immediate passage of the proposed Revised Animal Welfare Act.

"I am heart-broken and enraged to hear of the mauling of Killua," Senator Grace Poe, author of the proposed measure, said in a statement.

Based on CCTV footage, the dog was seen jumping from their house's roof after scaling it. Killua then allegedly attacked a resident, prompting a man to chase the dog and beat the animal to death. 

"His actions which were captured in a CCTV video, were fraught with excessive violence and shows that it was Killua who was being chased," Poe added.

While Poe said that it is up to the courts to decide on the matter, she said that the public should be aware of laws that prohibit and punish cruel treatment of animals, particularly the Animal Cruelty Act of 1998.

Amid the numerous reports on cruelty, neglect, and abandonment of animals, Poe said she filed Senate Bill 2458 which seeks to include Mandatory Animal Welfare Education in the primary and secondary education curriculum.

The proposed Revised Animal Welfare Act also creates a Barangay Animal Welfare Task Force which will enable local officers to address the animal welfare issues with dispatch.

The proposed measure will likewise establish standards geared towards engendering responsible pet ownership, as well as ethical behavior and accountability from all those who have control over or provide care to animals.

"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," Poe said.

On Tuesday, Poe delivered a privilege speech decrying the maltreatment, neglect, and torture of animals despite the existence of laws criminalizing cruelty to animals.

While delivering the speech at the Senate plenary, Poe, other senators, and animal welfare groups brought with them their pet dogs.

Among them is Senator JV Ejercito, who brought with him his pet dog "Nick" and "vehemently condemned" the brutal killing of Killua.

He said this "clearly violates the law and goes against the principles of compassion and decency."

"As a fellow dog lover, witnessing the disturbing video of Killua, a Golden Retriever, being brutally killed is truly heartbreaking. I vehemently condemn this act...Our beloved companions, often considered man's best friend, should never be subjected to such cruelty," he said.

"This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for the passage of Senate Bill 2458, also known as the Revised Animal Welfare Act, championed by Senator Grace Poe. Strengthening our laws to protect the welfare of animals is paramount to prevent such senseless acts of violence," he added. —VAL, GMA Integrated News