Taichung Councilor Demands Action on Stray Dogs After Chasing Incidents

Residents of Taichung are increasingly concerned about the growing problem of stray dogs, which pose a tangible threat to public safety and daily life. City Councilor Zhu Nuan-ying has brought this issue to the forefront, highlighting specific incidents that underscore the urgency of the situation. A friend of hers in Wufeng was severely bitten by a stray dog, requiring a month-long hospitalization. More recently, in March, seven stray dogs in Nantun's Zhongtai Road were observed chasing people and vehicles, causing distress and injury to residents.

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Dogs are man's best friends, but allowing them to roam freely may affect the safety of wildlife and humans.

Councilor Zhu has voiced strong criticism regarding the effectiveness of the current management strategies employed by the Agriculture Bureau. She pointed out that the bureau's practice of capturing stray dogs, neutering them, and then releasing them back into the community has not adequately addressed the problem, as evidenced by the continued incidents. She is demanding a thorough review and revision of the bureau's approach to stray dog control to prevent further harm and ensure the safety of the public.

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The stray dog problem is getting worse year by year and poses a real threat to residents' lives and safety. If not dealt with, it will become a big problem.

In response, Agriculture Bureau Director Li Yi-an acknowledged the potential risks associated with stray animals and outlined the bureau's ongoing efforts. These include regular capture operations in identified hotspots, with an estimated 8,000 stray dogs in the city. The bureau aims to capture 2,000 dogs annually, implementing microchipping, sterilization, and observation. Animals deemed suitable are offered for adoption, while those with aggressive tendencies or a history of biting are kept in shelters. The bureau assures that incidents of stray dogs harming people are handled immediately, and the specific case of the seven dogs in Zhongtai Road is being addressed.

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The Agriculture Bureau releases stray dogs after neutering them, but the seven stray dogs in Zhongtai Road were precisely those that had been captured and released.