QuestionsQuestions (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1727)
RA 10631 amends RA 8485 to strengthen the protection and promotion of the welfare of all terrestrial, aquatic and marine animals in the Philippines by supervising and regulating facilities for breeding, keeping, treating, and training animals, whether for trade or as household pets, and by defining animal welfare to include both physical and psychological well-being (avoidance of abuse, maltreatment, cruelty, exploitation, and prevention of fear/distress/harassment/unnecessary pain while allowing normal behavior).
It pertains to the physical and psychological well-being of animals. It includes avoidance of abuse, maltreatment, cruelty and exploitation, proper accommodation/feeding/care, prevention and treatment of disease, assurance of freedom from fear, distress, harassment and unnecessary discomfort/pain, and allowing animals to express normal behavior.
It is unlawful to torture any animal, neglect to provide adequate care/sustenance/shelter, maltreat any animal, subject any dog or horse to dogfights or horsefights, or kill/cause/procure torture or deprivation of adequate care/sustenance/shelter, or maltreat or use the animal in research/experiments not expressly authorized by the Committee on Animal Welfare.
The killing of any animal other than cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits, carabaos and horses is likewise declared unlawful, except in the instances stated in the law (the text provided shows an “x x x” placeholder for the exceptions).
It becomes unlawful for any person who has custody of an animal to abandon it. If the owner or person in charge abandons an animal without reasonable cause/excuse without providing for its care, the act constitutes maltreatment under Section 9 (as amended).
Abandonment is the relinquishment of all right, title, claim, or possession of the animal with the intention of not reclaiming it or resuming ownership/possession.
If the animal is left in circumstances likely to cause unnecessary suffering, or if abandonment results in the death of the animal.
If the animal dies: imprisonment of 1 year 6 months 1 day to 2 years and/or fine up to PHP 100,000. If it survives but is severely injured with loss of natural faculty to survive and needs human intervention: imprisonment of 1 year 1 day to 1 year 6 months and/or fine up to PHP 50,000. If it is subjected to cruelty/maltreatment/neglect without causing death or incapacitating it to survive on its own: imprisonment of 6 months to 1 year and/or fine up to PHP 30,000.
If committed by a juridical person, the officer responsible shall serve the imprisonment. If committed by an alien, he or she shall be immediately deported after service of sentence without any further proceeding.
Regardless of the resulting condition of the animal/s, if the offense is committed by: (1) a syndicate; (2) an offender who makes business out of cruelty to an animal; (3) a public officer or employee; or (4) where at least three (3) animals are involved.
If the offender is insolvent and unable to pay the fine, the offender shall suffer subsidiary imprisonment.
The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture may deputize trained officers from NGOs, citizens/community organizations, and volunteers; PNP, NBI, and other law enforcement agencies designate such officers. They may have authority to seize and rescue illegally traded and maltreated animals and arrest violators of the Act, subject to guidelines on arrest and detention under existing laws and rules.
The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, upon recommendation of the Committee on Animal Welfare.
The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture must, upon recommendation of the Committee on Animal Welfare, establish a mechanism for supervision, monitoring, and reporting of these enforcement officers.
Yes. It has a separability clause: if any provision is unconstitutional/invalid, the unaffected sections continue in full force and effect.
All laws, decrees, orders, rules, regulations, and other issuances—or parts thereof—that are inconsistent with RA 10631 are deemed repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
After fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier.