Amendments to Animal Welfare Act 1998

Illegal to torture, neglect, or maltreat any animal.
Prohibits subjecting dogs or horses to dogfights or horsefights.
Killing of animals (except livestock like cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits, carabaos, horses) is unlawful unless specifically allowed.
Use of animals in unauthorized research or experiments is forbidden.

Unlawful to abandon animals when in custody or ownership without reasonable cause.
Abandonment constitutes maltreatment if it causes unnecessary suffering or death.
Defines abandonment as relinquishment of all rights and possession with intent not to reclaim.

Penalties are graduated based on the outcome:
1. Death of animal: imprisonment 1 year 6 months - 2 years and/or fine up to ₱100,000.
2. Severe injury needing human intervention: imprisonment 1 year 1 day - 1 year 6 months and/or fine up to ₱50,000.
3. Cruelty without death or incapacitation: imprisonment 6 months - 1 year and/or fine up to ₱30,000.
Juridical persons: responsible officers serve imprisonment.
Foreign offenders are deported after serving sentence.
Higher penalties (2 years 1 day - 3 years imprisonment and/or fine up to ₱250,000) if:
- Offense committed by syndicate.
- Offender profits from cruelty.
- Public officer or employee involved.
- At least three animals involved.
Subsidiary imprisonment if unable to pay fines.

Secretary of the Department of Agriculture to deputize enforcement officers from NGOs, community groups, and volunteers with necessary training.
Law enforcement agencies (PNP, NBI) to designate animal welfare enforcement officers.
Enforcement officers authorized to seize and rescue illegally traded or maltreated animals and arrest violators.
Deputy officers subject to existing laws on arrest and detention.
Secretary of Agriculture to set guidelines for training and deputation and mechanisms for supervision and reporting.

If any provision is declared unconstitutional or invalid, remaining provisions continue to be effective.

All laws, orders, rules or regulations inconsistent with this Act are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

The Act takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or two newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier.