Animal Rights Law advancing around the world

[TheNoNamedOne]

Far from complete and perfect, animal protection and rights laws around the world are evolving -- and not just in Europe or the U.S. Taiwan, itself, has also been surging ahead with legislative actions with lawmakers taking up tax payers' time to address the issues that the citizens they represent want dealt with.

Where protections don't exist, they are coming into being. Where rights don't exist, the traditonal status quo is being challenged -- if not in legislative chambers, then in courts.

Lawmakers pass overhaul of law on animal rights (http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2007/12/15/2003392585)

Taiwan -- The legislature overhauled the Animal Protection Act (動物保護法) yesterday, introducing better protection of animal rights as well as tougher fines and prison sentences for those who abuse or abandon animals.

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. ...

Also included is a new requirement for the government to provide public play areas for pets. ...

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.


I wonder if that includes gold fish, too -- you know the kind of gold fish catch with a spoon kind of game or where they throw ping pong balls into small cups with gold fish.

Oh, I really like the underlined part! You know, like making their faces and names public like pedophiles. Shame is part of good justice.

See guys, as much as you deny it -- or wish it weren't so, things are changing and activists are pushing through their agenda towards tougher protection for animals, tougher consequences for their abusers, and further towards their rights.

[atb35]

Damn, and I was only 187,346 tickets away from winning that pony at Dave and Busters!!

[TheNoNamedOne]

And Switzerland enshrines AR laws into their country...

New Swiss law protects rights of 'social' animal (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article3818457.ece?Submitted=true)s
The Times

Under a new Swiss law enshrining rights for animals, dog owners will require a qualification, anglers will take lessons in compassion and horses will go only in twos.

From guinea-pigs to budgerigars, any animal classified as a “social species” will be a victim of abuse if it does not cohabit, or at least have contact, with others of its own kind. ...

The creator of this animal Utopia is the Swiss federal parliament, the Bundesrat, which adopted a law this week extending to four legs the kind of rights usually reserved for two.

I know some of you really hate to be shown the advances in AR, and while Switzerland is not a major population center of the world, it is one of those steps among many that lead to the end of a thousand mile long journey. Every step closer to the goal is important.

[badkitty]

The what's the problem with the people in the U.S. that are supposedly helping the animals but are in reality causing more harm??

[TheNoNamedOne]

The what's the problem with the people in the U.S. that are supposedly helping the animals but are in reality killing them???

Are you referring to another topic and thread? Not all threads have to turn into the same discussion -- hence different OP's and angles to approach an issue. I think another thread railing on what you are speaking of is already out there and perhaps in progress.

Do you have a question or comment about Animal Rights Law(s) around the world for this topic?

[badkitty]

I do understand that you are talking about law reform in other countries, which is great. I should have asked, why isn't the U.S. putting forth such laws that protect animal rights and prosecute the people that abuse/neglect animals?

[TheNoNamedOne]

I do understand that you are talking about law reform in other countries, which is great. I should have asked, why isn't the U.S. putting forth such laws that protect animal rights and prosecute the people that abuse/neglect animals?

The U.S. does.

For example animal protection laws targeting cockfighting and dog fighting have become felony crimes within the last year or two.

Horse slaughter for consumption in and export has been outlawed this last year.

There are many laws and regs on the book for protection... BUT it is not enough, and AR activists are far from satisfied with the current situation. We are always advancing the law for AR and protection with more steps in those directions every year.

I know a lot of you are not aware of it because it isn't on your mental radar screen to take notice of the successes. Though, those on the forum who have followed my writings do become aware of them and the arguments for AR.

Awareness of animal issues is growing as activist numbers increase and the spread of information becomes easier. Sure, there are going to be set-backs, and at times things have to get worse before they get better, but the body in AR legislation is growing. That is unmistakable and for those who deny that, or try to misdirect with some criticisms of particular groups, are really playing an old hand and that has not been effective in stopping the advances.

[kombu_kid]

dog owners will require a qualification

There's not even a qualification to have children, for cryin' out loud!

anglers will take lessons in compassion

That is just.......mind-boggling to the whackth degree.......whaddya do.....remove the hook gently??

The creator of this animal Utopia is the Swiss federal parliament, the Bundesrat

Yeah, I'd say they've got too much time on their hands. I think that if these laws started coming down in the U.S., there'd be a lot less pet owners......which may make the ARists happy. But, you never know...the result just may not be what the ARists intended.

Having pets around is cool, but it ain't the livin' end......when you need to jump through 50 hoops to own a stinkin' parakeet.

[TheNoNamedOne]

I think that if these laws started coming down in the U.S., there'd be a lot less pet owners......which may make the ARists happy.

Indeed, it would.

Having pets around is cool, but it ain't the livin' end......when you need to jump through 50 hoops to own a stinkin' parakeet.

Exactly! If people can't jump through the hoops, oh well... no pet for them.

[kombu_kid]

I guess you'll have to establish the "AR Police" to knock on doors, peek over walls, and obtain search warrants based on certain types of barks coming from dogs. So.....in the future, no one can only own one dog?......or cat?

I have an idea......the ARists should fly black helicopters!!...then all the pieces would fit. But seriously, how could ya'll enforce these new laws, especially when pets are held in, let's say, an apartment or condo......or behind a 6-foot block wall?.......or chicken coop?

I'm goin' out on a limb here......but whaddya bet the ARists will say "f**k your private property rights"?:D

[TheNoNamedOne]

No need for AR police. The regular police can be tasked with enforcing AR, along with help from the community.

Even though not all children are saved from child abuse with child abuse laws, the laws still stand and catches violators.

[TheNoNamedOne]

More laws for protecting animals creeping into legislation; Kentucky governor signs SB 58 (Romeo's Law).

FRANKFORT, Ky. (http://presszoom.com/story_144692.html) Romeo, an 8-month old yellow Labrador retriever who survived a horrific beating by his former owner, was there to witness Gov. Steve Beshear’s official signing of SB 58 — also known as Romeo’s Law.

With SB 58’s passage, torturing a dog or cat and causing serious physical injury becomes a first-offense felony in Kentucky. The severe abuse Romeo suffered at the hands of Ronald Shawn Turner was caught on videotape by neighbors and served as a catalyst for the bill’s introduction. Turner was eventually found guilty of animal cruelty and sentenced to prison time and fined.

Off to prison ye go.

[Maggie]

More laws for protecting animals creeping into legislation; Kentucky governor signs SB 58 (Romeo's Law).



Off to prison ye go.

When the majority of people knock the Ar's for trying to better the quality of life for animals, they are normally thinking of pets. Pets by and large are pretty well loved, so why do we need AR's. Maybe farm animals. They need help in some cases too. But are the AR's making too big a deal of it?

WARNING: Graphic scenes.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=TznqWdFUwS4

Well, THIS is why we need them. There are no circumstances under which this can be called acceptable by ANY person who likes to call themselves civilised.

And the world has decided to hold the next Olympics in a country that calls themselves civilised and call THIS NORMAL.

I'm sorry if this isn't what people want to know, or want to see, but it's a FVCKING GOOD REASON FOR SUPPORTING ANIMAL RIGHTS

Maggie

[TheNoNamedOne]

Mags, some of those pics and scenes I think may be from Taiwan. AR laws are starting to pop up in Taiwan, and in more limited ways in China.

Taiwan is actually pretty progressive.

[Maggie]

Mags, some of those pics and scenes I think may be from Taiwan. AR laws are starting to pop up in Taiwan, and in more limited ways in China.

Taiwan is actually pretty progressive.

I think it depends on what progress is actually taking place.

China and parts of Asia are a huge problem.

Fur farming is now illegal, but the law is NEVER enforced. It's all very well, and at least a start, but the new laws aren't helping a single animal at the moment, and I don't believe they ever will. Nothing will change what is a cheap way of making money.

They're now "cleaning up the streets" in readiness for the Olympics.

The street markets are unbelievably cruel. There's no way to describe how bad they are. You have to see it. I went once, and almost got arrested.

I still think the link is appropriate though. Where ever it's taking place, it unacceptable.

Maggie

[Maggie]

And one thing that Really pisses me off, is Samsung Korea sponsoring Crufts.

They've imported hundreds of Border Collies, in order to start Agility competitions, educate the Korean people and encourage better treatment of dogs.

Sounds wonderful, except that retired dogs are given to the Korean employees who work at these wonderful state of the art kennels. They don't neuter them though. In effect they're handing them a cheap money making tool.

Maggie

[P_chan]

When the majority of people knock the Ar's for trying to better the quality of life for animals, they are normally thinking of pets. Pets by and large are pretty well loved, so why do we need AR's. Maybe farm animals. They need help in some cases too. But are the AR's making too big a deal of it?

WARNING: Graphic scenes.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=TznqWdFUwS4

Well, THIS is why we need them. There are no circumstances under which this can be called acceptable by ANY person who likes to call themselves civilised.

And the world has decided to hold the next Olympics in a country that calls themselves civilised and call THIS NORMAL.

I'm sorry if this isn't what people want to know, or want to see, but it's a FVCKING GOOD REASON FOR SUPPORTING ANIMAL RIGHTS

Maggie

Do they have the rights to use music from Final Fantasy Tactics in their video?;) Interesting video though....looks tasty:barf:

[Maggie]

Do they have the rights to use music from Final Fantasy Tactics in their video?;) Interesting video though....looks tasty:barf:

I don't have the slightest idea. I never watch them. I just started it to make sure it worked, and closed it again.

They probably have though. It's a public youtube thing, and it's politically correct for pop groups, and well known musicians to abhore animal, and human cruelty.

God knows what they really think though.

Maggie

[P_chan]

Very shocking video, couldn't watch the whole thing. Especially once it came to the parts with dogs in it.

[Maggie]

Very shocking video, couldn't watch the whole thing. Especially once it came to the parts with dogs in it.

I only ever watched one showing a German Shepherd being bled to death, and skinned at the same time. It upset me for weeks.

I never watch them now. I know it goes on, and I hate it. Watching stuff like that couldn't make me hate it more, so I do as much as I can, and leave the gory, upsetting stuff alone now.

Maggie