Japan, like anywhere in the world, has a huge stray animal problem, and cases of animal abandonment are on the rise. But non-profit organization AC Japan has partnered up with the Japan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA) for a new campaign aimed at making the public aware that animal abandonment is a crime.
In the animated commercial, a mother and daughter place a box with a puppy under a tree as a mournful song plays in the background. Both mother and daughter have tears in their eyes as the mother prays, “I hope some kind person finds you.”
A narrator then says, “As kind as this sounds, these are the words of a criminal. No matter what the reason, no matter how heartbreaking, it is a crime to abandon or abuse an animal.”
The radio advertisement fleshes out the story a bit more: the husband received a job transfer, and the company housing doesn’t allow pets, so the family had no choice but to abandon their pet.
Stricter Punishments for Abandonment
The campaign began in July of this year, a month after the government implemented stricter punishments for animal abusers. Previously, those charged with abandonment faced only a 1 million yen ($9,560) fine. Now, they can face up to a year in prison or a 1 million yen fine. Animal killers can now be charged up to 5 million yen ($48,000) or face up to 5 years in prison. That’s higher than the prior 2 million yen ($19,000) or 2-year maximum imprisonment.
It’s a much-needed improvement to Japan’s vaguely outlined animal cruelty laws. According to the World Animal Protection organization A-G score system, with A being the best, Japan is at a dismal E. Its only major legal provision for animals is the 1973 Act on Welfare and Management of Animals (動物の愛護及び管理に関する法律).
Asahi Shinbun affiliate Sippo spoke about the campaign with Hirose Akihiro (廣瀬章宏), the executive director and secretary-general of the JSPCA:
「虐待は悪いことだとわかっていても、遺棄についてはそこまで罪の意識を持っていない人が多いと感じています。でも虐待や遺棄は懲役や罰金に処せられる法律的犯罪なのです。そのことをわかってほしいです」
“I feel that even though many people know that [animal] abuse is wrong, they aren’t aware that abandonment is a crime. But abuse and abandonment are legal crimes punishable by imprisonment and fines. I want people to understand that.”
Hirose Akihiro (廣瀬章宏)
His message seems to be getting across to people; many people have applauded the commercial’s design — using bright watercolors and gentle music to contrast the severity of the crime — and criticized people who take on a pet without thinking of the full responsibility that comes with being a pet owner.
A Way Forward?
According to the Ministry of the Environment, in Fiscal Year 2018, animal welfare centers nationwide took in 91,939 cats and dogs — 35,535 dogs and 56,404 cats. 29% were owner surrenders. While the number of animals being euthanized has slowly declined since 2007, the National Police Agency has noted a rise in animal abuse cases, with abuse towards cats making up the majority of cases reported in 2019.
These numbers would see a gradual decline if pet owners were responsible and spayed or neutered their pets, or started a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program. This problem has already been tackled on beloved cat island Aoshima in 2018 where an animal organization fixed the island’s 210 cats in just 2 days. It’s a small step, but a sign of progress nevertheless.
The current JSPCA campaign will run until June 2021. Hopefully, by then, we’ll be seeing fewer animals abandoned, and more people punished for so heartlessly discarding a life.
