In a recent series of incidents, a pit bull named "Lucky" has been at the center of controversy in Taipei after biting people on two separate occasions within 11 days. The dog's owner was fined NT$200,000, and "Lucky" was confiscated and taken to the Taipei City Animal Protection Office for temporary housing.
Background
"Lucky" made headlines for jumping out of its owner's vehicle window and attacking motorcyclists at red lights on March 6 and again on March 17. The owner, surnamed Hsu, claimed the dog had rolled down the automatic window by itself before the attacks. However, authorities deemed Hsu unable to properly manage the dog, leading to its confiscation.
Current Status
Upon arrival at the animal protection office, "Lucky" was reportedly very stressed, refusing to eat or defecate due to the new environment and the presence of many people. However, after the original trainer visited, the dog's condition improved, and it began eating and defecating normally.
Plans for "Lucky"
Hua Hsin-huei, an official at the Taipei City Animal Protection Office, stated that the primary goal is to help "Lucky" reduce its stress levels. The office is working with the dog's previous trainer to develop a plan for its care and to find a suitable new owner. Initially, there was interest from a potential owner in Chiayi, but this has been put on hold due to disagreements among the potential co-owners.
Public Reaction
The case has sparked discussions about responsible pet ownership, particularly concerning powerful breeds like pit bulls. The Taipei Animal Protection Office will continue to assess whether "Lucky" can be safely adopted or if euthanasia might be necessary if its aggression cannot be controlled.
