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Letters: The dogs of Taiwan

I really enjoyed reading the unique story about the dog named "209" that lives on the freeway island ("`Dog of Changhua' wins sympathy of the nation," Feb. 4, page 2). It is truly amazing that it has managed to survive in that situation for more than two years.

While it was heart-warming to hear that the dog is going to be helped off the island by the Taichung Universal Animal Protection Society, the story left one unanswered yet crucial question. What will happen to 209?

Is this dog going to find a home? Will it be set free only to roam the streets looking for food, in which case it might just want to return to its former home and face the dangers of maniacal freeway drivers, because home is where it knows it will be fed? Or will it simply be put into an animal shelter, only to be put down seven days later as is the custom here?

Until these questions are answered, this story will not be a heart-warming one but rather a reminder of the thousands of poor dogs that inhabit Taiwan.

In the time I spent in Taiwan, I have seen hundreds of sad, emaciated street dogs with various injuries barely hanging on to life. They are often treated as nothing more than large pests, more like big rats, beaten and often even poisoned. I would hate to see 209 freed only to end up as one of these poor street dogs.

On three occasions two years ago I found puppies in Tainan County with metal wires clamped around their necks so that as they grew they would eventually be choked by the "collar."

I have also seen two dogs poisoned. It's great to see some good news about people who truly are compassionate and care for dogs like 209, but there is still a long way to go before all dogs get such treatment.

David May

Tainan County
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