The legislature overhauled the Animal Protection Act (
The amendment also defines animal abuse for the first time, stipulating that any "violence, undue use of drugs or other behavior that harms animals or prevents them from maintaining normal physiological functions" is considered abuse.
According to the amendment, animal owners are required to provide vaccinations for their animals in addition to satisfying their basic needs such as food, water and protection from harassment and abuse.
Also included is a new requirement for the government to provide public play areas for pets.
The amendment clarifies the ban on killing "pets" for meat or fur by specifying dogs and cats as pets.
It also bans inhumane methods of slaughtering livestock.
The amendment, however, allows for the killing of animals that pose "immediate danger" to a person's life, health, freedom or property or to public security.
It also requires pet breeders to renew their licenses every three years, while authorizing the government to inspect their facilities.
According to the amendment, anyone who abuses or causes serious harm to animals or kills a dog or cat may be fined between NT$100,000 and NT$500,000 -- double the fine before the bill was passed. Photographs and names of violators may be published as part of the punishment.
Violators who repeat their offense within two years may be fined between NT$200,000 and NT$1 million (US$30,800).
Upon a third violation within five years, violators may be sentenced to one year in prison and be fined up to NT$1 million.
Anyone who uses live animals as game prizes or sells dead dogs or cats may be fined between NT$50,000 and NT$250,000 and have his or her name and/or photograph made public. This means that vendors who offer hamsters and rabbits as game prizes at night markets will be subject to fines if they do not cease the practice.
The amendment also introduces tighter penalties for people who abandon animals.
Abandoning an animal that could negatively affect the ecosystem is punishable by a fine of NT$30,000 to NT$150,000.
Abandoning animals not detrimental to the ecosystem is punishable by a fine of between NT$15,000 and NT$75,000.
The same fines will apply to animal owners who fail to provide adequate medical care for sick or injured pets or livestock after having been warned by the government.
The amendment also empowers the government to remove animals from an owner's care where there is evidence of abuse or negligence.
In addition, if owners neglect to control their animals and this results in damage to the property of others, authorities may confiscate the animals.
Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Hsiao Bi-khim (
"The amendment helps Taiwan improve not only its international image but also animal protection in the country," she said.
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
TRADE: A mandatory declaration of origin for manufactured goods bound for the US is to take effect on May 7 to block China from exploiting Taiwan’s trade channels All products manufactured in Taiwan and exported to the US must include a signed declaration of origin starting on May 7, the Bureau of Foreign Trade announced yesterday. US President Donald Trump on April 2 imposed a 32 percent tariff on imports from Taiwan, but one week later announced a 90-day pause on its implementation. However, a universal 10 percent tariff was immediately applied to most imports from around the world. On April 12, the Trump administration further exempted computers, smartphones and semiconductors from the new tariffs. In response, President William Lai’s (賴清德) administration has introduced a series of countermeasures to support affected
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College