The Ministry of Agriculture in Taiwan has released the latest estimates regarding the national stray dog population. As of 2024, the estimated number of stray dogs in Taiwan is 141,584, a decrease of 18,113 from the previous estimate of 159,697 in 2022. This reduction reflects a significant effort to manage and control the stray dog population across the country.
Survey Methodology
Since 2018, the Ministry has conducted these surveys every two years to monitor trends in stray dog populations. The latest survey utilized a capture-recapture method as outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for dog population management. The sampling was conducted at the village and neighborhood level, considering factors such as urbanization and population density.
Key Findings
- The estimated stray dog population in 2024 is 141,584.
- This represents an 11.34% decrease compared to the previous survey in 2022.
- The number of stray dogs per hundred people is approximately 0.605.
- In total, 739 villages were sampled for this survey, an increase from 645 villages in 2022.
Trends and Implications
The data indicates that since 2018, the stray dog population had been gradually increasing until this recent estimate, which suggests a reversal of that trend. The Ministry attributes this positive change to the implementation of a "zero euthanasia" policy in public animal shelters since 2017, along with systematic efforts to manage and sterilize stray dogs.
Future Plans
The Ministry has emphasized the importance of responsible pet ownership, including proper registration and vaccination against rabies. To further control the stray dog population, starting in 2025, local governments will be required to monitor and manage stray dogs more intensively in areas prone to human-animal conflicts.
Public Safety Concerns
Despite these efforts, concerns remain regarding public safety. Statistics from the Ministry of Transportation indicate that incidents involving strays have increased significantly; from four deaths and 1,883 injuries in 2017 to eleven deaths and 2,948 injuries by 2023. This highlights the ongoing challenges related to stray animals in urban environments.
The Ministry continues to advocate for community involvement and awareness to prevent pet abandonment and ensure that domestic animals do not contribute to the growing stray population.
