Taiwan Prohibits The Consumption Of Dog And Cat Meat
Taiwan will soon be the first country in Asia to explicitly prohibit the consumption of dog and cat meat in its territory. The island’s legislature approved an amendment that modifies the Animal Protection Act. Thus, it is forbidden to kill these two pets to consume their meat.
Another important measure is the increase in penalties for those who violate the law and sell this type of product. People who fall under the new legislation can be sentenced to pay a fine or even imprisoned.
This reform, which still needs to be approved by the Taiwanese Executive and sanctioned by the president, stipulates a prison sentence of up to two years and a fine of 200,000 to 2 million Taiwanese dollars (20,000 to 200,000 reais) for those who sacrifice these animals or market your meat.
It should be remembered that, prior to the discussion of this amendment, the penalties for mistreatment that caused serious injury, damage to vital organs or the death of these animals were much lower. It is also important to add that, in the case of cats and dogs, only sacrifice and sale was considered a crime. The consumption of meat was not considered a crime.
Once the changes in the law take effect, anyone who eats dog or cat meat will be penalized with a fine of between 5,000 and 26,000 reais. Government authorities will also be authorized to publish the names and portraits of those convicted of these offenses along with their criminal history.
The measure also prohibits car and motorcycle drivers from taking these animals off the leash while the vehicle is in motion, under penalty of fines ranging from 300 to 1.5 thousand reais.
Other Asian Countries That Ban Dog and Cat Meat
Along with the drop in the consumption of meat from dogs and cats, finally accepting these two animals as pets, other Asian countries are also making progress on this issue. However, Taiwan remains the first country to ban consumption.
In South Korea, different municipal administrations have created regulations prohibiting the trade in this meat (but not the sacrifice or abuse of animals).
In the case of Hong Kong, the opposite is true. The sacrifice of these animals is prohibited, but consumption is not.
China remains the biggest target for animal organizations, even though fewer and fewer people eat dog or cat meat. Unfortunately, some festivals, such as Yulin’s, very controversial and with great repercussions inside and outside Chinese borders, prevent the image of the Asian giant from improving in terms of animal protection.
Madrid prohibits the sacrifice of abandoned animals
Recently, a new Companion Animal Protection law was passed in Madrid. According to the new standard, the sacrifice of animals that are housed in kennels is prohibited.
The new legislation prevents pets that are in shelters from being killed. In this way, the “double condemnation of the domestic animal” for being a victim of abandonment and forced sacrifice is avoided. The law encourages sterilization as a way to avoid overcrowding and abandonment.
The new legislation also regulates mistreatment by action or omission. In addition, it prohibits the exhibition of animals in leisure or entertainment events, as well as using them in begging or traveling activities.
Another important point of the law seeks to prevent pets from being offered as a reward or in raffles. Nor can they be used in photo shoots for advertising purposes without authorization or leave them in unventilated vehicles. It was also prohibited to attack animals with guns or compressed air, except in very specific cases.
What the Animal Protection Law proposes is the so-called “zero sacrifice”. Pet stores and veterinary clinics are required to carry out renovations to keep dogs and cats on their premises.
