Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. __ 
6_6_0_5 
Introduced by Representatives 
26SEP Z01Z 
~ 
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO 
AN ACT 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8485, ALSO KNOWN AS, "THE ANIMAL 
WELFARE ACT OF THE PHILIPPINES," 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Animals have always found their way to the very heart of human society. 
No doubt, they have contributed to its enrichment. This is the reason why we 
have pets in our homes, making them a source of enduring companionship, 
service and therapy. 
Republic Act No. 8485 also known as "The Animal Welfare Act of 1998" 
established a policy of protection and promotion of the welfare of all animals in 
the Philippines. Commendable in its intent, this law, however, did not include 
adequate measures for protection of both animals and the community in which 
they live in. 
To promote the harmonious living of animals and humans, it is important 
that a policy of responsible pet ownership be upheld. 
The bill, therefore, proposes to penalize those who abandon their pets, or 
those who abandon animals they have sideswiped or run over. It also penalizes 
pet owners who allow their animals to run wild thus endangering the community. 
Finally, it mandates that programs which promote animal welfare be established 
in every city and municipality throughout the country. 


In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill into law is 
earnestly requested. 
CAPAGALARROYO 
Second District, Camarines Sur 
2 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regi!Jiar Session 
; 
' ~. 
6605 
House Bill No. ____ _ 
Introduced by Representatives 
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO 
AN ACT 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8485, ALSO KNOWN AS, "THE ANIMAL 
WELFARE ACT OF THE PHILIPPINES," 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 1 of Republic Act 8485 is hereby amended to read 
as follows: 
"SECTION 1. THIS ACT SHALL BE KNOWN AS THE "ANIMAL 
WELFARE AND CONTROL ACT." 
SECTION 2. A new section is hereby inserted after Section 4 of Republic 
Act 8485 to read as follows: 
"SECTION 5. IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR THE OWNER OF 
ANY ANIMAL TO ALLOW IT TO RUN AT LARGE UNATTENDED 
ON OR ABOUT THE STREETS OR ON THE PROPERTY OF 
ANOTHER WITHOUT SUCH PROPERTY OWNER'S CONSENT. 
ANY SUCH ANIMAL AT LARGE SHALL BE IMPOUNDED BY THE 
LOCAL ANIMAL CONTROL AUTHORITIES. 
IT SHALL BE THE DUTY OF EVERY OWNER OF ANY ANIMAL 
TO KEEP THE ANIMAL UNDER CONTROL AT ALL TIMES 
WHILE THE ANIMAL IS ON THE REAL PROPERTY OF THE 


6. 
OWNER. FOR PURPOSE OF THIS SECTION, AN ANIMAL IS 
DEEMED UNDER CONTROL WHEN IT IS CONFINED BY WAY 
OF FENCE OR 
OTHER ENCLOSURE, 
RESTRAINED BY 
SUBSTANTIAL CHAIN OR LEASH, RESTRAINED IN SOME 
OTHER PHYSICAL MANNER BY A COMPETENT PERSON, OR 
IS UNDER THE CONTROL OF A COMPETENT PERSON WHO IS 
PRESENT WITH THE AN IMAL, VIA VOICE COMMAND, SO THAT 
THE ANIMAL DOES NOT WANDER OFF THE REAL PROPERTY 
OF THE OWNER. 
IN ADDITION, ALL MALE AND FEMALE DOGS AND CATS THAT 
HAVE 
NOT 
BEEN 
SPAYED OR 
NEUTERED 
MUST BE 
SECURELY CONFINED IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY NOT 
ONLY CANNOT GET OUT TO RUN LOOSE, BUT ALSO CANNOT 
BE REACHED BY OTHER DOGS OR CATS. 
IT SHALL BE THE DUTY OF THE OWNER OF ANY ANIMAL TO 
KEEP THE ANIMAL UNDER CONTROL AT ALL TIMES WHILE 
THE ANIMAL IS OFF OF THE REAL PROPERTY LIMITS OF THE 
OWNER. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, AN ANIMAL 
IS DEEMED UNDER CONTROL WHEN IT IS CONFINED WITHIN 
A VEHICLE, PARKED OR IN MOTION, IS SECURED BY A 
LEASH OR OTHER DEVICE HELD BY A COMPETENT PERSON, 
OR IS PROPERLY CONFINED WITHIN AN ENCLOSURE WITH 
PERMISSION OF THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY WHERE 
THE ENCLOSURE IS LOCATED" 
SECTION 3. Section 5 of the same Act is hereby renumbered as Section 
SECTION 4. A new section is hereby inserted after Section 5 of Republic 
Act 8485 to read as follows: 
"SECTION 7. THE COMMITTEE SHALL DRAW UP GUIDELINE 
FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ANIMAL SHELTERS. EVERY 
CITY AND MUNICIPALITY IS ENCOURAGED TO ESTABLISH AT 
LEAST ONE ANIMAL SHELTER WITHIN THEIR VICINTY. IN THE 
MEANTIME 
THAT 
NO 
ANIMAL 
SHELTER 
HAS 
BEEN 
ESTABLISHED, A 
PLAN 
FOR 
THE 
PROTECTION 
AND 
ADOPTION OF LOST AND STRAY ANIMALS SHALL BE 
FORMULATED BY THE COMMITTEE ON ANIMAL WELFARE IN 
COORDINATION WITH THE DEPT. OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT (DILG). 
IN SUPPORT OF THESE OBJECTIVES, THE COMMITTEE 
SHALL ESTABLISH PROGRAMS FOR THE TRAINNG OF ALL 
2 


8. 
9. 
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS INSTRUCTING THEM IN THE 
PROPER OPERATION OF ANIMAL SHELTERS AND THE 
HUMANE TREATMENT OF LOST AND STRAY ANIMALS." 
SECTION 5. Section 6 of the same Act is hereby renumbered as Section 
SECTION 6. Section 7 of the same Act is hereby renumbered as Section 
SECTION 7. A new section is hereby inserted after Section 7 of the same 
Act to read as follows: 
"SECTION 10. IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON 
WHO IS IN THE CUSTODY OF AN ANIMAL TO ABANDON THE 
ANIMAL. 
IF ANY PERSON BEING THE OWNER OR HAVING CHARGE OR 
CONTROL OF ANY ANIMAL SHALL WITHOUT REASONABLE 
CAUSE OR EXCUSE ABANDON IT, WHETHER PERMANENTLY 
OR NOT, WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR THE CARE OF THAT 
ANIMAL, SUCH ACT SHALL CONSTITUTE MALTREATMENT 
UNDER SECTION 8. 
IF THE ANIMAL IS LEFT IN CIRCUMSTANCES LIKELY TO 
CAUSE THE ANIMAL ANY UNNECESSARY SUFFERING, OR IF 
THIS ABANDONMENT RESULTS IN THE DEATH OF THE 
ANIMAL, THE PERSON LIABLE SHALL SUFFER THE MAXIMUM 
PENALTY. 
ABANDONMENT MEANS THE RELINQUISHMENT OF ALL 
RIGHT, TITLE, CLAIM, OR POSSESSION OF THE ANIMAL WITH 
THE INTENTION OF NOT RECLAIMING IT OR RESUMING ITS 
OWNERSHIP OR POSSESSION." 
SECTION 8. A new section is hereby inserted after the section above to 
read as follows: 
"SECTION 11 . IF A DRIVER OF A MOTOR VEHICLE OR OTHER 
SELF-PROPELLED VEHICLE SHALL STRIKE AND INJURE OR 
KILL ANY DOMESTICATED ANIMAL, SUCH DRIVER SHALL 
GIVE 
REASONABLE 
AID 
AND 
ASSISTANCE 
AND/OR 
PROTECTION TO SUCH ANIMAL, WITHOUT PLACING HIMSELF 
OR HERSELF AT UNREASONABLE RISK, AND CALL AND 
3 


12. 
REPORT THE FACTS PERTAINING TO THE INCIDENT TO 
EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING AUTHORITIES: 
1 BARANGAY OFFICIALS; OR 
2. THE POLICE AGENCY HAVING JURISDICTION IN THE AREA 
WHERE THE ANIMAL IS STRUCK 
AFTER MAKING THE 
REPORT REQUIRED ABOVE, THE 
DRIVER SHALL COMPLY WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN BY 
THE AGENCY CONTACTED AND SHALL, IF INSTRUCTED, 
REMAIN AT THE SCENE UNTIL APPROPRIATE POLICE OR 
ANIMAL CONTROL AUTHORITY ARRIVES. AFTER ARRIVAL OF 
APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY, THE DRIVER SHALL COOPERATE 
WITH 
SUCH AUTHORITY IN 
THE 
INVESTIGATION AND 
REPORTING OF THE INCIDENT. 
AS 
AN 
ALTERNATIVE 
TO 
COMPLYING 
WITH 
THE 
REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH ABOVE, THE MOTOR VEHICLE 
DRIVER MAY TRANSPORT THE ANIMAL WHICH HAS BEEN 
STRUCK TO THE CITY OR MUNICIPALITY'S ANIMAL FACILITY, 
OR, IN THE CASE OF AN ANIMAL WHICH IS INJURED AND NOT 
DEAD, TO A VETERIINARIAN FOR TREATMENT OF THE 
ANIMAL'S INJURIES. IF THE DRIVER CHOOSES THE LATTER 
COURSE OF ACTION, HE/SHE SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR 
THE 
COST 
OF 
TREATMENT 
IF 
REQUIRED 
BY 
THE 
VETERINARIAN. 
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ANY OF THE 
REQUIREMENTS IN THIS SECTION SHALL CONSTITUTE 
ABANDONMENT OF THE ANIMAL UNDER SECTION 8. 
THIS 
SECTION 
SHALL 
NOT 
APPLY 
TO 
DRIVERS 
OF 
EMERGENCY VEHICLES IF SUCH VEHICLES ARE BEING 
OPERATED IN RESPOINSE TO A BONA FIDE EMERGENCY 
SITUATION 
AT 
THE 
TIME 
THE 
ANIMAL 
IS 
STRUCK 
EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATORS WHO STRIKE AN ANIMAL 
DURING A RESPONSE TO A BONA FIDE EMERGENCY 
SITUATION SHALL NOTIFY THE AUTHORITIES MENTIONED 
ABOVE OF THE INCIDENT AS SOON AS IS PRACTICABLE 
THEREAFTER" 
SECTION 9. Section 8 of the same Act is hereby renumbered as Section 
SECTION 10. A new section is hereby inserted after the section above to 
read as follows 
4 


14. 
"SECTION 13. Appropriations. -
THE AMOUNT NECESSARY 
FOR THE INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION' OF THIS ACT SHALL BE 
CHARGED AGAINST THE APPROPRIATIONS OF THE DEPT. OF 
AGRICULTURE. 
THEREAFTER, SUCH SUM AS MAY BE 
NECESSARY FOR ITS FULL IMPLEMENTATION SHALL BE 
INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT 
AS A DISTINCT AND SEPARATE ITEM." 
SECTION 11. Section 9 of the same Act is hereby renumbered as Section 
SECTION 12. Section 10 of the same Act is hereby renumbered as 
Section 15. 
SECTION 13. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 14. Repealing Clause. -
Any law, presidential decree or 
issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or 
regulation contrary to, or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby 
repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 15. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) 
days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
5