"South Korea to grant legal status to animals to tackle abuse"

[Me.]

“No charges were filed against its owner at the time, but animal abusers and those who abandon pets will soon face harsher punishment as South Korea plans to amend its civil code to grant animals legal status, Choung Jae-min, the justice ministry's director-general of legal counsel, told Reuters in an interview.
The amendment, which must still be approved by parliament, likely during its next regular session in September, would make South Korea one of a handful of countries to recognize animals as beings, with a right to protection, enhanced welfare and respect for life.”

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/south-korea-grant-legal-status-animals-tackle-abuse-n1277129

[Me.]

1. This Is Wonderful News

and my hope is that while there are only 12 nations that have done this so far the others will follow.