A revised law on the protection and control of animals went into effect on Friday. The law calls for harsher penalties for people who harm or abandon animals and imposes tougher controls on the pet industry.
Animal welfare groups joined others in expressing hope that the revision to the Law Concerning the Protection and Control of Animals, which was enacted on Dec. 14, 1999, will be effective in countering animal abuse.
Under the revised law, there will be stricter regulations concerning the protection of animals and harsher penalties for animal abusers -- including a maximum prison term of one year or fines of up to 1 million yen.
The first animal protection law, created in 1973, did not provide for the imprisonment of offenders and carried a maximum fine of 30,000 yen.
The Diet's enactment of the first amendment to the law in 26 years has come in response to public pressure and a growing number of cases involving the safety of animals.
The revised law clarifies the legal responsibilities of pet owners -- who must put identification collars on their pets, among other measures. as well as those of pet-related businesses such as pet shops, breeders and pet hotels.
Government officials said prefectural governors were also given powers to conduct spot checks on pet businesses.