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Taiwan has passed legislation banning the slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption.
Anyone caught in breach of the law could face up to two years in prison, as well as large fines and publication of their identity.
Other amendments passed include a ban on pulling animals along with a lead while riding a motor vehicle.
The amendments were made to Taiwan's existing animal protection law, which was the first of its kind in Asia.
In 2001, Taiwan banned the sale of meat or organs from pets such as dogs and cats.
The move reflects a shift in attitudes towards animals in Taiwan, where many residents hold their pets in higher regard, particularly amid the plunging birth rate.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen is a renowned cat-lover who famously featured her two felines Think Think and Ah Tsai on social media throughout her presidential campaign. Last year, Ms Tsai also adopted three dogs.
Historically, dog meat has been consumed in Asia since the Neolithic age, in modern times however, dog meat is considered to be a delicacy rather than an everyday meal.
Local and international tourism plays a role in the ongoing consumption of dog and cat meat.
The controversial Lychee and Dog Meat Festival in Yulin in China runs for 10 days every year and sees thousands of dogs and cats slaughtered for festival-goers to sample their meat.
Many reports suggest the animals are kept in inhumane conditions leading up to their deaths, which are then often brutal and public.
A 2015 report of a four-year investigation by Animals Asia into the dog meat industry in China found no evidence of any large-scale breeding facilities in the country, supporting long-term claims that majority of animals killed for human consumption are stolen pets or stray animals.
ABC/wires
Topics: animal-welfare, laws, taiwan
First posted