Examples of animal protection laws from around the world
Countries around the world have implemented a variety of laws and policies to promote animal welfare and address the problem of stray animals. Here are some of the most notable examples
Germany: bans euthanasia of stray animals and operates more than 500 “Tierheim” shelters across the country.
France: Up to three years in prison or a €45,000 fine for pet abandonment, mandatory pet registration, and a ban on pet sales in pet shops starting in 2024
Australia: mandatory dog walking (fines for not walking your dog for 24 hours)
Japan: Strict penalties for unregistered and abandoned pets (fines and jail time)
United States: Penalties vary by state (maximum jail time and fines for abandonment)
United Kingdom: “Lucy's Law” bans the sale of young animals in pet shops
These examples show the level of awareness and legal response to animal welfare in each country.
Korea's Challenges and Direction from Overseas Animal Protection Laws
Recently, there has been a growing interest in animal welfare and stray animal issues in Korea. Let's take a look at the current status of Korea's animal protection laws and how they can be improved.
Germany's Advanced Animal Protection System
Germany is considered to have one of the most advanced legal systems for animal protection. Germany strictly prohibits the euthanasia of stray animals and actively promotes the adoption culture by operating about 500 “Tierheim” shelters nationwide. In addition, the Proportionality Principle, established by the German Constitutional Court, provides a legal basis for protecting the lives and welfare of animals and ensures that they are systematically managed.
France has also recently passed strong animal protection laws. Abandoning a pet is punishable by up to three years in prison or a hefty fine of up to €45,000, and from 2024, France will ban the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores and require them to be adopted only through shelters or professional breeders. It also requires new pet owners to sign an acknowledgment of responsibility form to ensure responsible pet ownership.
Australia takes a more proactive approach. It has specific and tangible welfare standards, such as fines for dog owners who fail to walk their dogs for more than a day. Japan also emphasizes responsibility by imposing high fines and jail time for unregistered or abandoned pets.
The United States has strong penalties for abandonment, which vary by state, but generally include up to six years in prison and fines of up to $10,000. In the UK, Lucy's Law prohibits the purchase of puppies or cats under the age of six months from third-party sellers, such as pet shops, to prevent indiscriminate breeding and sale.
South Korea's pet population has been growing rapidly in recent years, and it is urgently in need of updated laws. As seen in other countries, Korea needs to enact effective laws and establish detailed management standards. In particular, it is necessary to consider various approaches, such as establishing a shelter-based adoption culture and strict penalties like Germany and France, or introducing practical and specific welfare standards like Australia.
In Korea, it is now necessary to build a mature social system that can ensure and protect the welfare of pets beyond simply owning them. It is important to actively refer to the examples of advanced countries and build a system that fits the domestic reality.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is Tierheim?
A: It is a public animal shelter in Germany that shelters abandoned animals and finds them new homes.
Q2: Why is there a ban on pet shop sales in France?
A: To prevent over-breeding and impulse purchases and to promote responsible adoption.
Q3: How is Australia's mandatory dog walking policy managed?
A: Australia manages it by imposing fines of up to approximately A$270 if a dog is not walked for more than one day.
Q3: What is the purpose of the UK's 'Lucy Law'?
A: The law prohibits the purchase of young animals under the age of six months from third parties, such as pet shops, in order to stop the uncontrolled breeding of dogs and cats and prevent illegal trade.
Q4: What can South Korea learn from overseas examples?
A: Stricter penalties, promoting shelter-based adoptions, and establishing specific and realistic welfare standards.
Hashtags.
#overseasanimalprotectionlaws #puppy mill prevention #animalwelfarepolicy #advancingpetculture #environmentalists
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