Changes in Taiwan Law

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Changes in Taiwan LawAsia For Animals
Conference Bali, 2008 Wu Hung/EAST/29
Aug.2008 www.east.org.tw
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Between 2005 and 2007, EAST as well as other
animal protection groups and advocates campaigned
for amendments to the Animal Protection Act in
Taiwan. Some of the amended or additional
articles of the law were quite significant,
although not completely satisfactory to all. Here
are important clauses and their meanings.
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Definition of cruelty
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Legitimacy of Killing Animals

• Exemption of killing animals for self-defense
  stricter
• Unless peoples life, body, health, freedom,
  property or public safety is threatened by
  animals and with immediate danger, animals
  cannot be killed freely.

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Criminal offence
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Farm Animal Welfare - Training
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Farm Animal Welfare - Cruelty
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Companion Animal Welfare - Pet Industry
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Companion Animal Welfare -Stray dogs and cats

• Terminology that appeared to discriminate stray
  animals has been eliminated.
• Stray dogs were considered garbage, and to be
  collected and sheltered by garbage collectors
  in most areas.
• The legislation now states that
• stray animals should be protected
• and sheltered. This means that the
• Government must avoid any
• unnecessary restriction or harm
• to animals during animal management
• practices.

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Companion Animal Welfare - Stray dogs and cats
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Small Animal Trade
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Laboratory Animals
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Major Losses New Challenge

• Name of the law To add animal welfare, not just
  protection (from cruelty).
• Public right To sue government agencies in case
  they neglect or fail to properly carry out their
  duties.
• Public hearing To enable the public to
  participate in the making of policy.
• Animal Police To add enforcement power
• Opposed by the Administration of Police.
• Animal Ambulance To have priority over other
  vehicles when traffic is heavy during animal
  rescue operations.
• New Challenges Is liquid feed Pet rental good
  to animal welfare ?

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Enforcement

• It is a very important but separate issue.
• More campaigning needed.
• Basic principles for campaigning are same but
  with different factors and elements.

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Enforcement Force

• Best practice - Animal protection inspectors
  should be assigned specifically by local
  authorities.
• Animal protection inspectorate people(1989)
• Animal protection inspectors (2001)
• Specifically assigned inspectors (2008)

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Thank youAsia For Animals Conference Bali,
2008 Wu Hung/EAST/29 Aug.2008 www.east.org.tw