Recently, beloved Chinese actresses Zhang Xinyu and Zhao Lusi have become the targets of online harassment after expressing their opposition to animal abuse. This incident, along with recent controversial animal cruelty cases, has stirred a great deal of emotion and a renewed demand for stronger legislation against animal cruelty.

This wave of outrage began after an internet influencer known as Jie Ke La Tiao, who, alongside his group, recorded themselves torturing cats in the most brutal ways, and sold these horrifying videos online. This outrageous act was met with a stern backlash, leading to the influencer being temporarily punished by local authorities for disturbing social order.

Regrettably, the punishment was not severe enough, and the influencer quickly returned to his disturbing activities. The public’s anger was further fuelled by the news of a man in Shandong Province callously killing his wife’s pet corgi as an intimidation tactic. This sparked a wider conversation on animal cruelty laws, and how they need to be more comprehensive and robust.

Despite some existing regulations and laws against animal cruelty, such as the public security administration punishment regulations and cyberspace security law, many argue that more specific and systematic legislation is required. This includes the need for laws covering every aspect of a pet’s life, from birth to death, and cruelty laws applying to all kinds of animals.

The call for improved animal welfare laws isn’t new. Since the 1990s, demands for such legislation have become louder, especially with an increase in reported incidents of cruelty. More and more local governments in China have drafted regulations on responsible pet ownership, which is a positive step towards protecting our furry companions.

As Qian Yefang, a law professor from Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, rightly says, “The public does not need to wait until the law is set up to act.” It’s our collective responsibility to protect animals and report any cases of abuse.

If you witness any form of animal abuse, report it. Encourage your friends, family, and online communities to do the same.

Speak Up Tee By Tiny Rescue: Animal Collection

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