花开几朵

Tan Weiyun
2009-11-3

China's first comprehensive proposal on animal protection has been drafted and unveiled by experts and could eventually become law if adopted by the National People's Congress, the legislature.

China lacks a comprehensive law on animal protection and prevention of abuse and this proposal, released in mid-September, covers private animals, livestock, performing animals and others. It provides criminal penalties as well as fines.

At this early stage, it's a recommendation, and it's controversial.

"If this recommendation is given enough attention, it will be approved in two to three years," drafter Chang Jiwen, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Science, tells The Bund.

The proposal is expected to be debated nationwide and undergo revision before the NPC even gives it a first reading. Many people say the concept of animal rights and preventing suffering is very new in China.

Anyone who abuses an animal to death shall be prosecuted in criminal court and could face up to three years in prison, according to the proposal. The proposed law would also prohibit cruel and dangerous circus acts, such as dogs or big cats jumping through burning hoops, as well as cock fighting and dog fighting.

People who abuse or abandon their pets would also be subject to penalties.

China's first Law on Protection of Wild Life was enacted in 1988, but no animal welfare or animal rights law has been enacted.

"This recommendation is at least a beginning," says Hua Ning, China program manager of the International Fund for Animal Welfare and a member of the committee that drafted the animal welfare recommendation.

"Whether it's adopted or not, it calls on Chinese to pay attention to animal protection, examine their own treatment of animals and seriously consider their own relationship with animals," she tells Shanghai Daily.

She cited common cruel practices in some Chinese zoos, such as performances by tiger cubs whose teeth and claws have been pulled - as well as performances by dancing bears whose noses are pierced with iron rings attached to chains.

"Kids are happy to take photos with these animals, thinking that this is a way to 'love and get close to animals.' However, I'm very worried that these children will grow up with this wrong kind of education," says Hua.

She says that since the International Fund for Animal Welfare came to China 15 years ago there have been many cases of animal abuse, both shocking and routine.

"What was most frustrating was that perpetrators received no punishment from the legal system," she says. "They were just labeled 'morally reprehensible,' so I think this recommendation is a good sign of some change."