top of page

Pets and Countries' Animal Protection Laws

Austria [Dog / Cat ownership rate: 24 per 100]  

flag-jpg-xl-10-scaled.jpg
  • Dog Meat Ban: Covered under slaughter laws  

  • 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]

germany-flag-png-large.jpg
  • Dog Meat Ban: Since 1986

  • German Animal Welfare Act, Article 17 prohibits causing substantial pain, suffering, or injury to animals without reasonable cause

  • Violations are punishable by up to 3 years imprisonment or a fine

Taiwan [Dog / Cat ownership rate: 21 per 100]

taiwan-flag-png-large.jpg
  • Dog Meat Ban: Since 2017

  • Animal Protection Act 1998 (amended 2021), Article 10 prohibits maltreatment, abuse, or killing of animals without justification

  • 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]

united-kingdom-flag-png-large.jpg
  • Dog Meat Ban: NO 

  • Animal Welfare Act 2006 (England and Wales), Section 4 prohibits causing unnecessary suffering to animals through acts or omissions

  • 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]

netherlands-flag-png-large.jpg
  • Dog Meat Ban: NO 

  • Animal Act 2011, Article 2.1 prohibits acts causing unnecessary suffering or neglect of animals, including farm animals

  • 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]

france-flag-png-large.jpg
  • Dog Meat Ban: NO  

  • French Penal Code, Article 521-1 prohibits acts of cruelty to domestic or captive animals, including killing without necessity

  • Violations carry up to 2 years imprisonment and a €30,000 fine

Norway [Dog / Cat ownership rate: 20 per 100]

norway-flag-png-large.jpg
  • Dog Meat Ban: NO 

  • Norwegian Animal Welfare Act 2009, Section 14 prohibits causing unnecessary suffering or neglecting animals’ needs

  • Violations are punishable under Section 14, with up to 1 year imprisonment, or 3 years for aggravated cruelty

30/F, King Palace Plaza, 55 King Yip Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong

+852 2519 6366

info@wdalliance.org

World Dog Alliance|All rights reserved

bottom of page