TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The legislative caucus of the ruling DPP has reached a consensus on imposing heavy penalties on animal smugglers after 154 illegally imported cats were euthanized amid a public outcry.

The Council of Agriculture (COA) is seeking an amendment to the Smuggling Penalty Act to slap a NT$3 million (US$107,227) fine on those trading pet animals without legitimate origins, reported CNA. Currently, the regulation stipulates individuals importing articles of contraband may face seven years of imprisonment and be fined no more than NT$3 million.

The move comes in the wake of a highly controversial incident where 154 felines of rare breeds were seized on a smugglers’ ship and culled due to the risk of disease transmission last week.

Animal welfare groups and many members of the public have condemned the killings, believing there was a better way of dealing with the innocent animals. For example, an adoption campaign could be conducted after inspection procedures, they suggested.

President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) as well as officials and veterinarians have defended the decision as a necessary evil, saying the cats originated in China, where rabies is prevalent. The virus could be latent for years before it becomes active, posing a considerable threat to local animals and even human beings, said COA Minister Chen Chi-chung (陳吉仲).

DPP legislators seek to tighten the Smuggling Penalty Act and Statute for Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Diseases, while animal organizations are calling for the establishment of an animal protection police force.