The first law on the protection of animals known to man, obliged to apply to the dogs "Honour Dog"

In the late 17th - early 18th century Japan Tokugawa Tsunayoshi rules, went down in history under the nickname "Dog Shogun". He issued a decree on the protection of animals, the earliest of the known laws of its kind in the history of the world, prohibiting under pain of death to kill dogs, cats and horses tired out. To stray dogs townspeople were affectionately addressed as "Excellency Dog" and to disobey this request subject to corporal punishment. In the capital of Edo it was built several shelters bred dogs, where they relied diet more than peasants. These measures, along with the financial crisis have led to growing discontent of the population, and after the death of his successor, Tsunayoshi immediately canceled the law.

via factroom.ru