Legal Basis, Policy, Purpose
- The order is issued pursuant to Republic Act No. 8485 (the Animal Welfare Act of 1998) and Section 7 (9) of Republic Act No. 9482 (the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007).
- The state policy is to protect and promote animal welfare in the Philippines and ensure strict implementation and observance of Republic Act No. 8485 and pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 9482.
- Only the acceptable and most humane manner of killing animals, as determined for given circumstances, is allowed.
- The order is designed to ensure euthanasia is done considering animals’ freedom from physical discomfort and pain and from fear and distress during euthanasia.
- The objective is to set standards and regulate all activities relating to euthanasia of animals.
Definitions and Key Terms
- “Animal” refers to every non-human species, both domestic and wild, including dogs, cats, livestock, and fowl.
- “Barbiturate” refers to organic compounds derived from barbituric acid that depress the nervous system to induce apathy and sleep and, in high doses, function as an anesthetic.
- “Domestic Animal” refers to an animal bred and raised to live in or about human habitation and dependent on people for food and shelter.
- “Escaped Animal” refers to any animal outside its designated cage, corral, yard, or enclosure without the control of its owner or handler.
- “Euthanasia” refers to the process of inducing humane and painless death to animals.
- “Sharpshooter” refers to a skilled marksman in the use of a firearm.
- “S-2” refers to a license issued by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) authorizing veterinarians to prescribe and/or make use of appropriate dangerous drug preparations.
- “Veterinary Officer” refers to a licensed veterinarian employed by government (municipality, city, province, local units, or Department of Agriculture regional field units) for animal welfare work.
- “Wild Animal” refers to untamed non-domesticated animals moving and unrestrained in their natural environment/habitat.
- “Zoo Animal” refers to wild animals kept in close or open confinement for public viewing.
Scope: Who Covers What
- The order covers all persons, including government and non-government institutions, private companies or organizations, associations, and similar entities, including peoples organizations, that handle animals through profession, functions, advocacy, or business.
- The order covers animal handling whether the animals are pets or used in connection with the covered entities’ activities.
- The order covers all animals while alive.
- Euthanasia of food animals for purposes of slaughter is governed by DA Administrative Order No. 18 series of 2008 on rules and regulation on humane handling in the slaughter of animals for food.
Humane Euthanasia Conditions and Procedures
- Section 5.1 adopts the rule that Section 6 of Republic Act No. 8485 prohibits killing except as provided in the same law, and requires that killing be done through humane procedures using the most scientific methods available, as determined and approved by the Committee on Animal Welfare, with methods identified in the order.
- Euthanasia is allowed only when conditions exist and it is performed by a duly licensed veterinarian:
- Section 5.2.a: when an animal is afflicted with an incurable or communicable disease, as determined and certified by a duly licensed veterinarian.
- Section 5.2.b: when killing is necessary to end the misery suffered by the animal, as determined and certified by a duly licensed veterinarian.
- Section 5.2.c: for animal population control purposes.
- Section 5.2.d: when done after the animal has been used in authorized research or experiments.
- Section 5.2.e: when done to prevent imminent danger to the life or limb of a human being.
- Section 5.2.f: for any other analogous grounds as determined and certified by a duly licensed veterinarian.
- Section 5.3 vests the conduct of euthanasia with the duly licensed veterinarian.
- Section 5.4 sets general procedure requirements:
- If a firearm is used:
- Only licensed firearms shall be used.
- Only sharpshooters and members of the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies deputized by the Bureau of Animal Industry and authorized by the concerned local government unit may perform the shooting.
- Euthanasia must be performed with technical competence and by a duly licensed veterinarian.
- The preferred method is by injection.
- Euthanasia must be done rapidly and humanely with the least fear, anxiety, pain, and distress, with consideration to how the animal is handled during the procedure.
- Euthanasia must always be done away from public view and away from other animals.
- If barbiturates are used, veterinarians must secure an S-2 license from the PDEA.
- The veterinarian must ensure the animal is dead, guided by signs of death:
- absence of respiration
- absence of heartbeat
- dilation of the pupils
- If a firearm is used:
Approved Euthanasia Methods
Euthanasia may be performed only by a duly licensed veterinarian under the approved methods.
Section 6.1 Non-inhalant (Barbiturate):
- Section 6.1.a: Intravenous injection of a barbiturate is the preferred method.
- Section 6.1.b: Intraperitoneal and intracardiac injections may be used when intravenous injection would be distressful or dangerous, and are better when the animal is heavily sedated, unconscious, or anesthetized.
- Section 6.1.c: Neuromuscular blocking agents (including Magnesium sulfate or Potassium chloride) used to stop the heart must be administered only after giving Tiletamine with Zolazepam or Ketamine with Diazepam or other sedative combinations.
Section 6.2 Inhalants:
- Carbon Monoxide
- Produced by any gasoline powered engine or commercially compressed carbon monoxide may be used.
- The chamber must be designed so animals are not too crowded and could be viewed from the outside.
- Carbon Dioxide
- Carbon dioxide is acceptable for euthanasia in appropriate species.
- Compressed carbon dioxide gas in cylinders is the only recommended source because inflow can be regulated precisely.
- Carbon dioxide generated by other methods such as dry ice, fire extinguishers, or chemical means (e.g., antacids) is unacceptable.
- Carbon Monoxide
Section 6.3 Physical Methods:
- Firearms (gunshot)
- Firearms may be used for specific animals, but shooting must be done only by highly skilled personnel trained in firearms use, including members of the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other law enforcement agencies.
- Only licensed and authorized firearms may be used.
- When firearms are used, the following must be considered:
- Firearms shall be with no less than .22 caliber using non expansive bullets provided that the animal is pursued until death.
- The shooter must aim at or target the brain for quick and immediate death, done under the supervision of a duly licensed veterinarian.
- Penetrating Captive Bolt
- Penetrating captive bolt is an acceptable and practical method for horses, ruminants, swine, crocodiles, turtles, and tortoises.
- It works through concussion and trauma to the brain.
- Adequate restraint is required for proper bolt placement.
- Firearms (gunshot)
Species-Specific Agent and Method Rules
- The order sets species-specific acceptable euthanasia agents and methods:
- Amphibians: double pithing; inhalant anesthetics (in appropriate species); carbon dioxide (in cylinder); ether; chloroform.
- Birds and wild (domestic and wild): domestic cervical dislocation; barbiturates; inhalant anesthetics; carbon dioxide (in cylinder); decapitation; drowning for pips or hatchlings.
- Cats and Dogs: barbiturates; inhalant anesthetics; carbon monoxide (from a car exhaust using a gasoline engine); potassium chloride; magnesium sulfate with general anesthetics; gunshot.
- Crocodiles: pithing; gunshot; penetrating captive bolt; sharp blow to the head; decapitation.
- Fish (aquarium fishes): decapitation; percutaneous anesthetic overdose (immersion); benzocaine hydrochloride (intramuscular).
- Horses (domestic and wild): gunshot; penetrating captive bolt; barbiturates; potassium chloride with general anesthetics.
- Marine Mammals: barbiturates; etorphine hydrochloride (intravenous); gunshot.
- Non-human Primates: barbiturates; inhalant anesthetics; gunshot.
- Pigs (domestic and wild): barbiturates; carbon dioxide (in cylinder); penetrating captive bolt; gunshot; sharp blow to the head (under 3 weeks of age); drowning (day old).
- Rabbits: decapitation; cervical dislocation; barbiturates; inhalant anesthetics; carbon dioxide (in cylinders); potassium chloride with general anesthetics.
- Rodents and other small mammals: barbiturates; inhalant anesthetics; carbon dioxide (in cylinder); cervical dislocation; decapitation.
- Ruminants (domestic and wild): barbiturates; penetrating captive bolt; gunshot.
- Snakes and Lizards: pithing; barbiturates; sharp blow to the head; carbon dioxide (in cylinder); decapitation; gunshot.
- Turtles and Tortoises: pithing; gunshot; penetrating captive bolt; sharp blow to the head; decapitation.
Special Handling Rules and Roles
- When an animal is injured, disabled, sick, or unable to walk, it must be handled as humanely as possible; when an animal cannot walk, a humane means of conveyance must be provided for transport or the animal must be euthanized immediately.
- When an animal escapes, the following steps apply:
- retrieve it using humane handling methods
- retrieve it using a mechanical stunner (penetrating or percussions), including cartridge and pneumatic captive bolt types
- humanely destroy it if the owner or its agent does not wish the animal to be treated
- use water sprays for wetting pigs, cattle, carabao, horses, and goats in hot weather, kept to minimum use
- The Bureau of Animal Industry must register facilities or structures for confinement of animals bred, treated, maintained, or kept for sale or trade or training purposes, pursuant to DA AO No. 8 series of 1999, DILG Memo Circular 2005-01, and Republic Act No. 9482, where euthanasia is conducted.
- The Bureau of Animal Industry must facilitate information exchange, review and monitor approved facilities, and provide policy advice.
- The Director may call upon any government agency for assistance consistent with its powers, duties, and responsibilities to ensure effective and efficient implementation; the called agency must assist the Director when requested, using available funds in its budget.
Prohibited Acts, Criminal Penalties, and Administrative Consequences
- Any activity or practice that is not considered an acceptable and humane method under the rules is prohibited.
- Any person, firm, company, government or non-government institution, peoples organization, and the like who violates any provision and performs euthanasia contrary to the guidelines must, upon conviction by final judgment, face:
- imprisonment of not less than six (6) months to two (2) years, or
- a fine of not less than One Thousand Pesos (P1,000.00) nor more than Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00), or both, at the discretion of the Court.
- If the violation is committed by an alien, the alien is subject to immediate deportation after service of sentence, without further proceedings.
- The criminal penalties are without prejudice to administrative sanctions in addition to imprisonment and fine, including:
- cancellation of permit of registration with the Bureau of Animal Industry
- revocation of accreditation of the establishment
- cancellation of license in the case of veterinarians
Continuity, Repeals, Separability, and Effectivity
- Existing rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards that are not inconsistent with the order remain in full force and effect under the non-exclusivity clause.
- All existing administrative orders, rules, regulations, or parts inconsistent with the order are repealed or modified accordingly.
- If any provision is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining portions continue in force and effect under the separability clause.
- The order’s effectivity is fifteen (15) days after publication and filing with the UP Law Center.