Tough laws on cruelty to animals backed
Nine out of 10 people want those who are cruel to animals to be punished - preferably with tougher fines or jail terms, according to survey results released yesterday.
But one in five also ate cat or dog meat regularly and some believed animals felt no pain, the study found.
The poll, by the Animals Asia Foundation, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Baptist University, revealed 'overwhelming' support for strong laws and penalties against cruelty, the groups said.
'It shows an overwhelming awareness. A great many people realise legislation is inadequate, certainly for domestic species,' Animals Asia founder Jill Robinson said.
The poll of 500 people found more than 89 per cent favoured punishing those who were cruel to animals, 38 per cent kept animals at home and 79 per cent agreed cats, birds and dogs were good companions.
Some 78 per cent wanted international laws to fight animal abuse and 36 per cent said jail terms for trading in endangered species should be raised from two years to five.
Four out of 10 disagreed with bullfighting and almost half disagreed with circuses - although 85 per cent enjoyed seeing animals in zoos. About 23 per cent had eaten cat or dog, while 19 per cent had done so in the past year.
Half of those surveyed were disturbed by cruelty in Hong Kong food markets - although seven per cent said animals felt no pain - and 94 per cent said they would use effective herbal alternatives in Chinese medicine.
The groups said cruelty to animals should carry a heavier penalty than the current maximum of two years' jail and a $5,000 fine. SPCA executive director Chris Hanselman said many of those convicted received fines of just $1,000 or suspended sentences.
