China’s Dog Population To Be Saved Now Cruelty Law Is In Place

China’s Dog Population To Be Saved Now Cruelty Law Is In Place

Submitted by Jennifer White on October 1, 2009



The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) applauds China for
drafting the country’s first animal welfare legislation, which
would make animal abuse and cruelty a punishable offence. A draft of
the Animal Protection Law which outlines the basic standards for
treating all animals in different situations is published online for
public comment, from a legal conference in Beijing, China.
Recently, several Chinese cities have forged ahead with dog culls
citing concerns of rabies, leaving tens of thousands of dogs brutally
killed. Such slaughter would be stemmed should this law be passed.
In addition to releasing the draft animal protection law, changes
regarding China’s Criminal Law were also suggested, making animal
abuse a punishable offence.
Why Dogs Suffer?


Millions of animals suffer horribly every year from cruelty in zoos
and parks, on farms, markets and the streets, in laboratories and
during the process of transport and slaughter. Often ignorant about how
animals can feel pain, people treat animals only as a
“resource” and do the cruelest things to them. Foxes are
skinned alive for their fur. Bears have open wounds in their bodies to
extract their bile. Tigers, with their teeth and claws pulled out, are
chained to the ground for picture-taking with tourists. Cats are boiled
alive before they are eaten. Dogs are clubbed and stoned to death in
the name of “rabies prevention and population control.”
“This is a very significant step for China, not only for the
millions of animals that suffer from abuse and cruelty, but also for
the country’s image as it drives for social progress and
harmony.” Said Grace Ge Gabriel, IFAW’s Asia Regional
Director, “The cruel treatment of animals not only results in the
suffering of the animals, but also in the degradation of society.
Imagine what it does to children to witness these brutal acts, and to
grow up thinking that it is appropriate to treat another living
creature this way.”
The need to have legislation banning the cruel treatment of animals
is increasingly felt by Chinese people. Recently, after the cruel
killing of over 40,000 dogs in Hanzhong, an online poll of 63,000
people found that 89% support the drafting of anti cruelty legislation.
The draft law outlines guidelines for disease prevention and medical
care for animals. It covers wildlife, farm animals, companion animals,
lab animals and work animals, and stipulates welfare requirements for
animals in transport and slaughter.
The draft is developed by an expert team of researchers led by
Professor Chang Jiwen at China’s Academy of Social Sciences,
supported by animal welfare groups such as IFAW. After the public
comment period, the draft law will be proposed to the National
People’s Congress, the legislative body of China.
about f**king time IMO

lets hope this new law includes the torture of dogs and cats being farmed and skinned alive for their fur

about bloody time ....