In recent weeks, Taiwan has seen several incidents involving aggressive dogs, particularly pit bulls, which have raised concerns about public safety and animal control. Here are the details of these incidents and the measures being taken by authorities.
Taipei Incident
In Taipei, a pit bull named "Lucky" owned by a man surnamed Hsu was involved in two separate attacks on motorcyclists stopped at red lights. The first incident occurred on March 6, and the second happened just 11 days later on March 17. Both attacks involved the dog jumping out of the owner's truck window and biting the motorcyclists. Following these incidents, the Taipei City Government fined Hsu NT$200,000 and seized the dog due to his inability to control it.
The dog is currently being evaluated at a care facility to determine if its behavior can be improved. If the dog remains aggressive, it may be euthanized. However, if its behavior improves, it could be put up for adoption to suitable owners.
Keelung Incident
In Keelung, another pit bull was involved in two attacks on stray dogs, resulting in one death and one injury. The dog was initially fined NT$30,000 for the first attack and later NT$60,000 for the second incident. The dog was impounded by the Keelung City Animal Protection Office and later sent to a dog sanctuary in Pingtung due to the lack of suitable adopters.
The owner, Chen, was not prosecuted for intentionally letting the dog attack, as witnesses corroborated his account of the incident being accidental. However, he was fined for violating animal protection laws by failing to properly control his aggressive pet in public.
Animal Protection Measures
Taipei's Animal Protection Office emphasizes the importance of reporting dog conflicts to the police and the 1959 Animal Protection Hotline. Pet owners are required to prevent their animals from infringing on others' rights and must take appropriate precautions when walking aggressive pets in public.
Conclusion
These incidents highlight the need for stricter enforcement of animal control laws and education on responsible pet ownership in Taiwan. While some dogs may be rehabilitated and adopted, others may pose too great a risk to public safety.
