Pets and Countries' Animal Protection Laws
Austria [Dog / Cat ownership rate: 24 per 100]

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Dog Meat Ban: Covered under slaughter laws
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Animal Welfare Act 2004, Article 5 prohibits inflicting unjustified pain, suffering, injury, or fear on animals, with exemptions for hunting and fishing
- Cruelty to animals, punishable by up to 1 year imprisonment or a fine
Germany [Dog / Cat ownership: 23 per 100]

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Dog Meat Ban: Since 1986
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German Animal Welfare Act, Article 17 prohibits causing substantial pain, suffering, or injury to animals without reasonable cause
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Violations are punishable by up to 3 years imprisonment or a fine
Taiwan [Dog / Cat ownership rate: 21 per 100]

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Dog Meat Ban: Since 2017
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Animal Protection Act 1998 (amended 2021), Article 10 prohibits maltreatment, abuse, or killing of animals without justification
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Violations (e.g., intentional cruelty or killing) carry up to 2 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to NT$2 million (approx. $62,000 USD)
United Kingdom [Dog / Cat ownership rate: 26 per 100]

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Dog Meat Ban: NO
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Animal Welfare Act 2006 (England and Wales), Section 4 prohibits causing unnecessary suffering to animals through acts or omissions
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Violations are punishable by up to 7 years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine for serious cruelty, with lesser penalties (up to 51 weeks jail or £20,000 fine) for negligence
Netherlands [Dog / Cat ownership rate: 22 per 100]

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Dog Meat Ban: NO
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Animal Act 2011, Article 2.1 prohibits acts causing unnecessary suffering or neglect of animals, including farm animals
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Violations are covered under the Dutch Penal Code, Article 254, with penalties up to 3 years imprisonment or a fine
France [Dog / Cat ownership rate: 25 per 100]

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Dog Meat Ban: NO
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French Penal Code, Article 521-1 prohibits acts of cruelty to domestic or captive animals, including killing without necessity
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Violations carry up to 2 years imprisonment and a €30,000 fine
Norway [Dog / Cat ownership rate: 20 per 100]

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Dog Meat Ban: NO
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Norwegian Animal Welfare Act 2009, Section 14 prohibits causing unnecessary suffering or neglecting animals’ needs
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Violations are punishable under Section 14, with up to 1 year imprisonment, or 3 years for aggravated cruelty