New Taipei City's Animal Home currently shelters five pit bulls, providing them with individual cages and separate exercise times from other dogs. The pit bulls also receive regular training sessions with professional trainers. However, the frequent reports of pit bull attacks have raised concerns among veterinarians. The president of the Veterinary Association, Tan Da-lun, noted that even frontline veterinarians fear aggressive breeds and often require owners to restrain their dogs and use muzzles during consultations.
Tan Da-lun emphasized the importance of caution when transporting dogs by car. He warned against being complacent, citing numerous cases of dogs escaping through windows. Drivers should always lock the windows to prevent such incidents. Recently, a pit bull named Lucky in Taipei jumped out of a moving vehicle twice within eleven days, attacking innocent motorcyclists and causing injuries that led to hospitalization. The public has criticized the owner's negligence, with some finding it unbelievable that the dog could have opened the window by itself. However, Tan Da-lun explained that dogs are capable of pressing window buttons if the windows are not locked, referencing a similar case involving a Golden Retriever.
Pit bulls are classified as aggressive breeds, and veterinarians often exercise extreme caution when dealing with them. Despite their reputation, even small breeds like Pomeranians can exhibit aggressive behavior, and veterinarians remain vigilant during consultations. Tan Da-lun advocates for stricter measures, suggesting that owners of aggressive breeds should be held criminally liable if they fail to use safety equipment like muzzles and leashes, leading to attacks.
