As pressure by public to improve animal welfare in a string of cruelty cases that stimulated public outrage Taiwan has pass a ban of eating of dogs and cats said lawmakers.
The consumption, purchase or possession of dog and cat meat, with offenders facing a fine of up to Tw$250,000 (US$8,170) with parliament passing bill to outlaw offenders who will be name and shame.
Wang Yu-min who proposed the new laws said that Taiwan is a society with advanced animal welfare
The stiff fine of TW$2 million and maximum two year jail term was a result of the bill hiking the punishment.
In Taiwan the consumption of dog meat is said by some to help enhance male potency which was the norm on for the island decades again but with the increasing calls of protection of animal right its became less popular.
Although there no penalty on eating or buying the meat, Taiwan had changed its animal protection law to ban the slaughter of pets in 2001 including dogs and cats.
By end of 2003 sales of pet meat were banned.