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Petnappings on the rise, Taipei City councilor warns

Two dogs attend a press conference called yesterday by People First Party Taipei City Councilor Dai Hsi-chin on the recent spate of petnappings. Dai was joined by pet owners who had been victims of such crimes. PHOTO: SUNG CHIH-HSIUNG, TAIPEI TIMES

Taipei pet owners should consider keeping their pets on a shorter leash as criminals are increasingly targeting animals for kidnappings, according to a Taipei City councilor.

People First Party Councilor Dai Hsi-chin (戴錫欽) said yesterday during a press conference that the last few days have seen a surge in cases, with pet owners having little choice but pay ransom as police have failed to take the incidents seriously.

Liu Chung-chih (劉崇智), commander of the Criminal Investigations Corps of the Taipei Metropolitan Police Department, said any police indifference regarding these crimes was a thing of the past.

Pet owners could rely on the police to take such cases seriously in the future, Liu said.

A woman surnamed Chao (趙) who accompanied Dai at the press conference told reporters her pet dog Momo had been kidnapped twice.

She paid a ransom the first time, but had not seen the dog since it was kidnapped a second time a year ago, Chao said.

Chao said that the kidnappers had originally demanded she pay NT$100,000 (US$3,080) to get the dog back, but returned MoMo after she gave them NT$30,000.

She said she had informed the police but received little help from them.

Dai said that criminals were becoming more desperate in the current economic climate.

Liu added that the public should report any petnappings to the police.
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