Taipei (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Taiwan's parliament has approved a bill banning the sale and slaughter of cats and dogs for human consumption.
The bill, which amends Taiwan's Animal Protection Act, imposes fines of up to TW$ 250,000 (about US$ 8,000) for selling or eating cats or dogs. Anyone convicted of harming, causing pain, or killing them can expect up to two years in jail and a fine of TW$ 2 million.
The first of its kind in Asia, the bill now goes to the president for final signature before it becomes law.
In Hong Kong it is already illegal to sell, kill or cook dogs and cats; however, eating them is not illegal. In mainland China, there is no law banning the sale, slaughter, and consumption of dogs and cats.
Every year, Yulin (Guangxi) hosts a famous dog meat festival, where the pooches are kept in often cruel conditions (pictured).
Animal rights activists have targeted the fair, and many other consider eating dogs and cats as "primitive."
In Taiwan, President Tsai Ing-wen has adopted three dogs who learnt to get along with her two cats, Cookie and A-Tsai.
