Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No._____
Introduced by Rep. BERNADETTE "BH" HERRERA-DY
EXPLANATORY NOTE
For a lot of Filipinos, dogs are food, not friends. This is an unfortunate reality
that continues to hound animal lovers despite the passage of the Animal Welfare Act
of 1998 (RA 8485) and the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 (RA 9482). According to the
World Society for the Protection of Animals, the animals suffer at every stage, from
fanning or capture to transport, sale and slaughter. Moreover, it has serious
consequences for human consumers since low profit margins on dog farms often
mean that dogs are fed poor quality of food, even the carcasses of other dogs,
creating a disease-prone food chain that affects society at large.
Commercial dog meat production is a cruel and inhumane practice that must
be completely eradicated. The law seems to have a little deterrent effect. as the
illegal dog meat trade remains to be a million dollar industry with nearly 300,000.00
canines butchered every year. Now in its 18th year, there seems to be no serious
implementation of the law and that arrest and apprehensions are preferred by
lawbreakers due to the minimal fine, which would cost less than litigations.
Hence, there is a need to enact stiffer penalties for persons who engage in
any of the stages of the dog meat trade, and to allocate the funds collected
therefore on the implementation of this act.
On the basis of the foregoing considerations, the passage of this bill is
earnestly sought.
Bernadette Herrera-Dy
July 6, 2022
8:52 am
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No._____
Introduced by Rep. BERNADETTE "BH" HERRERA-DY
AN ACT PUNISHING DOG MEAT TRADE
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Dog Meat Trade Act
of 2022."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy - It is the policy of the State and the purpose of this
Act to protect. and promote the welfare of all animals in the Philippines, including dogs,
and to protect and promote the right to health of the people. Towards these ends, the
ban on dog meat trade shall be reinforced through the enactment of stiffer penalties for
violators.
SEC. 3. Prohibitions - It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in dog meat
trade, including the farming or capture, transport, sale, or slaughter of dogs for the
purpose of trading dog meat.
SEC. 4. Penalties for noncompliance - Any person who engages in dog meat
trade, including the farming or capture, transport, sale, purchase, or slaughter of dogs for
the purposes of trading dog meat shall, upon conviction by final judgment, be punished
by imprisonment and/or fine, as indicated in the following graduated scale:
1)
Imprisonment of not less than SIX (6) MONTHS nor more than
TWO (2) YEARS, and/or a fine of no more than TEN THOUSAND PESOS
(P10,000.00) per dog, if the person is found guilty of farming or capture,
transport, and/or sale of live dogs for purposes of trading dog meat.
2)
Imprisonment of not less than ONE (1) YEAR or more than
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THREE (3) YEARS, and/or a fine of no more than ONE HUNDRED
THOUSAND PESOS (P100, 000.00), if the person is found guilty of
transporting, trading, selling, and/or purchasing dog meat.
3)
Imprisonment of not less than TWO (2) YEARS nor more than
FIVE (5) YEARS, and/or a fine of no more than TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND
PESOS (P25, 000.00) per dog, if the person is found guilty of slaughter of
dogs for the purposes of trading dog meat.
If a person is guilty of engaging in more than one set of offenses, the differing
penalties shall not be compounded and the higher penalty shall apply.
In addition to the punishment of imprisonment and/or fine, the offender is
required to attend a forum on animal welfare protection to be conducted by the
Committee on Animal Welfare under the Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with
accredited animal welfare non-government organizations.
All penalties collected pursuant to this Act shall be deposited in the National
Treasury in an account specifically designated for the enforcement and implementation
of this Act and available only for that purpose.
SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The Department of Agriculture, in
coordination with the Department of Health, Department of Trade and Industry,
Philippine Information Agency, animal welfare and consumer welfare non-government
organizations,
academe,
and
stakeholders,
shall
prepare
and
promulgate
the
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of this Act within sixty (60) days after the
effectivity of this Act.
SEC. 6. Separability Clause - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting.
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause - All laws, presidential decrees, letters of instructions,
executive orders, administrative orders, rules, regulations, and other issuances or parts
thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
revoked, repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 8. Effectivity - This Act. shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette and in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,