Taiwan bans human consumption of cat, dog meat: Report

Taiwan now has national legislature banning the consumption of dog and cat meat, slapping hefty fines on violators.

Fines for eating or selling cat or dog meat will range from between $1,640 and $8,200, thanks to the national legislature authorizing an amendment to the country’s Animal Protection Act, CNN reported Wednesday.

Australia’s Yahoo 7 News reported that the legislative change makes Taiwan the first Asian country to enact such a ban. The law will not officially go into effect until signed by the president, something which should happen before the end of the month, according to Yahoo 7.

“Taiwan’s progressive ban is part of a growing trend across Asia to end the brutal dog meat trade,” said Wendy Higgins of the Humane Society International, CNN reported.

An official with the Animals Asia Foundation also hailed the move.

“Previously, the Animal Protection Act only covered the slaughter and sale of dog and cat meat, but this amendment specifically prohibiting the actual consumption of dog meat today is welcome,” said the organization’s CEO, Jill Robinson, CNN reported.