The Department of Agriculture is tapping non-government organizations to advance animal welfare and protection.
Dr. Arvin Serrano of the DA Committee on Animal Welfare said they wanted to “localize” implementation of Republic Act 10631 which contains amendments to Republic Act 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998.
“We have to deputize enforcement officers who will help educate the public and increase awareness on animal protection in the country,” he said.
DA conducted a public consultation with allied agencies and animal groups and NGOs in the Visayas and Mindanao and are in a Cebu City yesterday to prepare for the crafting of the implementing rules and regulations of the Animal Welfare Act.
Serrano said the Cebu leg of the consultation followed a similar activity held in Quezon City two weeks ago.
“All inputs including those sent to us through e-mail will be up for deliberation in our Oct. 7 meeting,” he said.
Dr. Ma. Gracia Dizon-Flores of the DA said that unlike RA 8485, the amendatory law is more specific of its coverage to include aquatic and marine animals. It also imposes bigger fines.
RA 10631 imposes fines of 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.
Imprisonment of one year and one day to one year and six months and/or a fine not exceeding P50,000 is to be paid if the animal subjected to cruelty, maltreatment or neglect survives but is severely injured with loss of its natural faculty to survive on its own and needing human intervention to sustain its life.
Penalty of imprisonment of six months to one year and/or a fine not exceeding P30,000 is imposed on a violator for subjecting any animal to cruelty, maltreatment or neglect but without causing its death or incapacitating it to survive on its own.
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