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๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ผ Taiwan /Crime & Justice

Hero search dog Wilson allegedly beaten to death; Hualien fire bureau accused of cover-up

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • A search and rescue dog named Wilson, credited with finding victims after the April 3 Hualien earthquake, is allegedly not dead from a fall but was abused and kicked to death.
  • A whistleblower, identified as a Hualien firefighter, claims the Hualien County Fire Bureau ordered a gag order on the incident.
  • The claims have sparked public outrage, with activists and politicians demanding transparency and a reinvestigation, including the release of surveillance footage.

A scandal has erupted in Hualien, Taiwan, surrounding the death of Wilson, a celebrated search and rescue dog. Wilson, a Jack Russell Terrier, gained fame for locating victims following the devastating April 3 earthquake. Initially reported to have died in June last year after falling from a third-floor training platform, new allegations suggest a far more sinister cause: abuse and fatal beating.

Search and rescue dog Wilson was not killed by a fall, but was abused to death! But 'someone' ordered a complete cover-up, so no one dares to speak.

โ€” Anonymous Hualien firefighter (via Taoyuan City Councilor Huang Chiu-hui)Whistleblower's account alleging abuse and a subsequent gag order.

An anonymous Hualien firefighter has come forward, alleging that Wilson was not killed by an accidental fall but was instead kicked in the head and slammed against a wall, leading to his death. The whistleblower claims that the Hualien County Fire Bureau imposed a gag order, silencing colleagues who knew the truth. This account contradicts the official narrative and has ignited public fury, with many questioning the integrity of the fire bureau.

Dog handler's character is upright and full of love. There is no abuse. Please do not spread rumors.

โ€” Hualien County Fire Bureau Chief Wu Chao-yuanDenying the abuse allegations.

Taoyuan City Councilor Huang Chiu-hui amplified these claims, sharing screenshots of conversations with informed sources. She stated that the dog's handler initially provided inconsistent explanations for Wilson's death, including "gastric torsion," before the bureau settled on the "training fall" story. Huang pointed out inconsistencies in the handler's account of the fall, questioning how Wilson could have fallen through a small net. She also criticized the bureau's response, noting the handler received only a demerit and reassignment, and that the bureau has since adopted another dog for training.

Where is the evidence that you are so sure there was no abuse? If you are proven wrong, will you step down?

โ€” Taoyuan City Councilor Huang Chiu-huiChallenging the Fire Bureau Chief's denial and demanding proof.

Fire Bureau Chief Wu Chao-yuan has denied the abuse allegations, asserting the handler's good character and the dog's well-being. However, Huang Chiu-hui has publicly challenged this, demanding evidence and questioning the bureau's confidence in its denial. She accused the bureau of using Wilson for publicity while allegedly covering up his mistreatment. Activists and the public are demanding the release of surveillance footage and the full investigation report, with calls for a thorough reinvestigation and accountability for those involved.

Wilson was kicked in the head and slammed against a wall, packaged as 'the dog accidentally fell'. Handler Tseng Ching-lin, please come forward and clarify!

โ€” Anchor Wang Nai-yuRecounting the whistleblower's allegations and demanding accountability from the handler.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.