More than 300 people gathered Thursday at a Tokyo symposium calling for a legal revision to better protect animal rights.
During the "Stop the Abuse of Animals! Make Life Friendly Society" symposium, which was organized by a national federation of citizens' groups working for the cause, participants lamented the pitiable situation surrounding animals abused by irresponsible pet owners and traders, who are not subject to any punishment under the current Animal Protection Law.
Looking at photos on a big screen of a dog in a small cage and a chained baby elephant lying on heated concrete under the sun, participants sighed and voiced their grief and anger.