Taiwan Bans Dog & Cat Meat Trade

WASHINGTON, DC — The Humane Association of the U.S. and pet lovers are hailing Taiwan's decision to ban the dog and cat meat trade. The ban makes Taiwan the second territory in China to stop killing the dogs and cats for food. Hong Kong was first to do so back in 1950. Thailand and the Philippines also ban dog meat.

The humane society estimates 30 million dogs are killed annually for human consumption. The number of cats is unknown.

But although other Asian countries still allow the dog and cat meat trades, the HSUS is optimistic other nations and territories will follow Taiwan's example.

"This legislation is going to send a message to the Chinese mainland, Nagaland state in India, Indonesia and other Asian countries where dog meat consumption is still legal that ending the brutal dog meat trade is the positive trend across Asia and a step in the public's long-term interest," Kelly O’Meara said. O'Meara, a director with the humane society, pointed out most people in Asia don't consume dogs and cats. They also have pets and "most find the cruel and often crime-fueled trade appalling," she added. As is the case in America, "the animal protection movement is growing rapidly across Asia and the calls for an end to dog meat cruelty are getting louder and louder.”

Taiwan's ban is no empty talk. Anyone caught eating dogs or cats will face a fine up to $8,100 in U.S. dollars.

Also recently, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors took a stand against the torture of dogs and cats for human consumption in China and South Korea. Patch reported on March 28 much of the effort has been focused on China's Yulin dog meat festival in June when thousands of dogs are tortured and eaten. Some of the animals are said to be stolen pets.

Photo: A vendor pushes his motorbike loaded with caged dogs to a market for sale ahead of a dog meat festival in Yulin in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Monday, June 20, 2016. Restaurateurs in a southern Chinese town will holding an annual dog meat festival which falls on June 21, the day of summer solstice, despite the international criticism. (Andy Wong/Associated Press)