從動物保護法的生成與演變探討在地動物福利之發展與實踐－以犬、貓為例

Comparing with several thousand years animal-using history, it only has about two hundred years when facing up animal is not only tools which facilitated human being’s life. It began to appear more complete animal protection thought and relevant legislation until the early 19th century. Before that, animal can only depend upon the human accidental sense of compassion. Under the effort of scholars and animal protection organizations, Taiwan complied with the global trend and announced to execute Animal Protection Law in November 4, 1998. The major reason, however, behind the legislation was to solve stray dog problem at that time then safeguard the animal welfare. The Animal Protection Law was placed with great expectation before the legislation and was treated as the efficacious medicine that could solve every animal problem. Unfortunately, the stray dog problem had not been solved either animal welfare related issues also emerged from one after another. The Animal Protection Law therefore amended several times and criminalized the animal abusers in the last two amendments. Under such strict penalties, however, animal mistreating was still a social phenomena and animal welfare problems still exist. This thesis discusses why Animal Protection Law produced little effect in Taiwan with observing the development process and social interaction of the Law. The author believe that raising animal protection consciousness of people is the basis of accomplishing the animal welfare and the heavy penalties can only be effective in the short term. Criminalizing the misconduct of abusing animal in the Animal Protection Law is feasible but not fundamental. Keyword: Animal, Animal Protection, Animal Welfare, Animal Protection Law, Criminalization, Stray dog problem, Animal abuse.