China Drafts Nation's First Animal Protection Law

BEIJING, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The International Fund for Animal
Welfare (IFAW - www.ifaw.org) applauds China for drafting the country's first
animal welfare legislation, which would make animal abuse and cruelty a
punishable offence. A draft of the Animal Protection Law which outlines the
basic standards for treating all animals in different situations is published
online for public comment, from a legal conference in Beijing, China.

Recently, several Chinese cities have forged ahead with dog culls citing
concerns of rabies, leaving tens of thousands of dogs brutally killed. Such
slaughter would be stemmed should this law be passed.

In addition to releasing the draft animal protection law, changes regarding
China's Criminal Law were also suggested, making animal abuse a punishable
offence.

Millions of animals suffer horribly every year from cruelty in zoos and parks,
on farms, markets and the streets, in laboratories and during the process of
transport and slaughter. Often ignorant about how animals can feel pain,
people treat animals only as a "resource" and do the cruelest things to them.
Foxes are skinned alive for their fur. Bears have open wounds in their bodies
to extract their bile. Tigers, with their teeth and claws pulled out, are
chained to the ground for picture-taking with tourists. Cats are boiled alive
before they are eaten. Dogs are clubbed and stoned to death in the name of
"rabies prevention and population control."

"This is a very significant step for China, not only for the millions of
animals that suffer from abuse and cruelty, but also for the country's image
as it drives for social progress and harmony." Said Grace Ge Gabriel, IFAW's
Asia Regional Director, "The cruel treatment of animals not only results in
the suffering of the animals, but also in the degradation of society. Imagine
what it does to children to witness these brutal acts, and to grow up thinking
that it is appropriate to treat another living creature this way."

The need to have legislation banning the cruel treatment of animals is
increasingly felt by Chinese people. Recently, after the cruel killing of over
40,000 dogs in Hanzhong, an online poll of 63,000 people found that 89%
support the drafting of anti cruelty legislation.

The draft law outlines guidelines for disease prevention and medical care for
animals. It covers wildlife, farm animals, companion animals, lab animals and
work animals, and stipulates welfare requirements for animals in transport and
slaughter.

The draft is developed by an expert team of researchers led by Professor Chang
Jiwen at China's Academy of Social Sciences, supported by animal welfare
groups such as IFAW. After the public comment period, the draft law will be
proposed to the National People's Congress, the legislative body of China.

About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)
As one of the world's leading animal welfare organization, IFAW works from its
global headquarters in the United States and 14 country offices to improve the
welfare of wild and domestic animals by reducing the commercial exploitation
of animals, protecting wildlife habitats, and assisting animals in distress.
With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW works both on the ground and in
the halls of government to safeguard wild and domestic animals and seeks to
motivate the public to prevent cruelty to animals and to promote animal
welfare and conservation policies that advance the well-being of both animals
and people. To learn how you can help, please visit www.ifaw.org.

SOURCE International Fund for Animal Welfare

Jeff He IFAW China, +86-10-64643599, or Fax: +86-10-64643522 jhe@ifaw.org, or
Chris Cutter IFAW, +1-508-737-4623, or ccutter@ifaw.org