RantCrush Top 5: April 12, 2017

As having pets becomes more and more popular in Asia, Taiwan has become the first country to outlaw eating cats and dogs. People eating or selling meat from cats and dogs can now be fined between $1,640 and $8,200. It will also become illegal to “walk” pets on a leash while driving in your car or on a scooter, a relatively common practice. These changes are in response to several instances of animal cruelty that went viral. Last year, a group of military personnel abused a dog, strangled it, and threw it into the ocean. Animal rights groups were appalled and have been pushing for national legislation to protect animals. Taiwan’s president is also an animal lover. She has adopted three stray dogs and posed for photos with her two cats while campaigning last year. Now many people hope this will send a strong signal to the rest of Asia, particularly China, a country that still has an annual dog meat festival.

VICTORY!!! 👏❤️👏Taiwan’s legislature passed the amendment banning the consumption of dog & cat meat on the island! https://t.co/QF1Ve30JwN

— World Animal News (@WorldAnimalNews) April 12, 2017

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.