154 smuggled cats euthanized in Taiwan

[Catherine]

The Taiwan coast guard intercepted a shipment of 154 cats that were being smuggled into the country. The cats were all immediately put down.
The cats were put down to prevent possible disease transmission, since their origin is unknown.  

The people of Taiwan are understandably upset. It was done so quickly that no other options were considered. The cats could have been quarantined.
Rescue groups even offered to pay for their quarantine. 
The way the current laws are set up, no other option, but euthanasia  could be considered for smuggled animals.


https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/a...ing-taiwan

I can understand the need to protect Taiwan from the dangers of imported diseases. They did suffer an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the 1990s.
It took 23 years to fully end that.

This is a little different. These cats were not livestock. They could be tested and vaccinated and quarantined.
There is need to adjust the laws to fit the type of animals being smuggled now.

Yes the real culprit is the smugglers and they should be dealt with. However the ones who suffered were the 154 cats who basically got the death penalty for being the victims smuggling.