A black dog in Taichung was abandoned by its owner while driving yesterday. The Taichung Animal Protection Office located the owner today and found the dog at their residence, where it was in good health. The owner claimed that the dog was barking incessantly, so they let it out of the car to calm down. However, the Animal Protection Office stated that this action is illegal and fined the owner NT$15,000.
Recently, the Animal Protection Office received a report about a car owner who suddenly opened the door and let a black dog out, leaving it behind as the vehicle drove away. The office used the vehicle's license plate to obtain the owner's information and, with the assistance of police, visited the owner's home. The dog was found to be in good condition and had not been injured. It had been registered as a pet and had received vaccinations, including for rabies.
However, the owner's actions violated the Animal Protection Act by releasing the dog onto a busy road, putting it at risk. The Animal Protection Office will impose a fine of up to NT$15,000 for this violation. They urge the public to treat animals with care and seek professional help if there are behavioral or care issues, rather than putting animals in harm's way.
A video of the incident, which occurred in Taichung's East District, sparked widespread discussion online, with many condemning the owner's actions. Councilor Jiang Zhaoguo expressed sympathy for the dog, saying that the betrayal and fear it experienced are heartbreaking.
