First lady and dog forced to `flee' official residence

First lady Wu Shu-jen (吳淑珍) has moved back to her private apartment on Minsheng East Road in Taipei City with her dog, Honey.

But the first couple haven't had a tiff.

Instead, it's fleas that are the culprit.

David Lee (李南陽), director-general of the Department of Public Affairs at the Presidential Office, said yesterday that the first lady and President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) had been sheltering stray cats at their official residence, Yushan Residence (玉山官邸), on Chongqing South Road.

Stray cats

At one point, the first couple were looking after more than 10 strays, Lee said.

The felines' fleas, however, have proliferated and invaded the presidential mansion, forcing the first family to have the residence sprayed.

They also sent the cats to the vet for flea baths and to be spayed or neutered.

Lee said that the cats would be sent away for adoption after the treatment.

Impact

To prevent the chemicals that were sprayed in the residence from having any impact on the health of the first lady and her dog, Lee said that the pair had temporarily moved back to the apartment on Minsheng East Road on Monday and will stay there for a week.

The first family's other two dogs, Yungko and Eaco, have remained at the Yushan Residence because they are kept outside, Lee said.