Taiwan has become the first country in Asia to ban the killing of cats and dogs for food.
According to the island's Central News Agency (CNA), offenders could face fines between $1,640 and $8,200 (€50 and €252), as well as up to two years in prison. Violators may also see their names, photos and crimes publicised.
The new legislation also bans people from using vehicles to pull pets along on leads, as the country continues to crack down on animal cruelty. Taiwan has doubled the maximum prison term for animal cruelty to two years and raised the fine up to $65,500 (€2,002) for any act that deliberately harms animals and results in mangled limbs, organ failure or death.
Animal abuse cases
The new amendment comes after several high profile cases saw activists push for less lenient laws.
Last year, a video showing a group of military personnel beating up a dog, strangling it and tossing the body into the ocean sparked public protests. Taiwan's minister of defense apologized to the public over the incident.
Dog meat is consumed in many parts of Asia including China, the Philippines, Korea and Indonesia, according to Humane Society International.
