Chinese legislators and political advisors are pushing forward the enactment of a law on animal abuse, a mounting public concern across the country.

More affluent Chinese are enjoying the company of pets, some even take them as family members. However, some animal abuse cases have hurt the feelings of animal-lovers and tainted China's image of civilization, said Du Yi, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the top advisory body, which is in an annual session.

"We should impose a law to curb animal abuse and brutal slaughter as soon as possible," said Du, also a businesswoman of a Hong Kong-based company. She pointed out that the foot-and-mouth disease, SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and avian flu pandemic are punishing the humankind for animal cruelty.

Du used to adopt more than 30 abused or injured cats. She called for the crackdown upon the stealing, butchering and processing of pet animals for commercial purpose, and encouraged efforts to reduce the pain of dying fowl and livestock in her proposal to the advisory body.

Animal slaughter should be banned at public places such as supermarkets or booths in residential areas, which will have passive impact to youngsters' mental health, said Zhou Ping, a deputy attending the ongoing annual session of the National People 's Congress (NPC), the national legislature.

A survey by an international animal protection organization showed that 70 percent of U.S. families with domestic violence are connected with animal cruelty, and almost all infernal killers have abused animals during their childhood.

Zhou has called for the ban on eating wild animals. In addition, wild animals in captivity should be assisted to return to nature.

"Human beings will finally benefit from giving favorable treatment to animals," said Zhou.

(China Daily March 7, 2006)