Chapter I General Provisions
Article 1
1.1 This Act is hereby enacted out of respect for animal life so as to protect animals and improve animal welfare.
1.2 This Act governs activities to protect animals. However, other laws may prevail if they contain specific applicable stipulations.
Article 2
2.1 The term “competent authority” in this Act refers to one of the following: the Council of Agriculture of the central government, the municipal government of a special municipality, or a city/county government.
2.2 A municipal, city/county government (hereinafter “local government”) shall set up an animal protection agency dedicated to the enforcement of this Act.
Article 3
3.1 Definition of terms used in this Act:
3.1.1 Animal: a dog, a cat or any vertebrate reared or tended by humans for its economic value, for laboratory use, as a pet or for other purposes.
3.1.2 Economic animal: an animal reared and tended for the production of fur, meat, milk, or for other economic purposes such as labor.
3.1.3 Laboratory animal: an animal reared and tended for scientific applications.
3.1.4 Scientific application: a usage for the purpose of teaching, experiment; making biological products, trial agents, drugs, poison; or facilitating organ transplant.
3.1.5 Pet: an animal, such as a dog or a cat, reared and tended for pleasure or companionship.
3.1.6 Pet food: feed or substance to provide a balanced diet of nutrients to animals declared as pets by the central competent authority.
3.1.7 Owner: the person having possession of, or actually tending, an animal.
3.1.8 Pet breeding facility: a place to cultivate, refine or reproduce pets for commercial purposes.
3.1.9 Pet food vendor: a person/business engaged in the manufacturing, processing, packaging, wholesale or retail, or import/export of pet food.
3.1.10 Abuse: harming an animal or making it unable to function properly with violence, drug diversion, physical objects, acts of omission, or other means, beyond what is necessary to rear, tend or dispose of an animal.
3.1.11 Transporter: someone whose job is to transport animals.
3.1.12 Slaughterer: someone whose job is to slaughter economic animals at an abattoir.
3.1.13 Performing: using animals for display, performance or interaction with people in a public place or venue with public access.