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Taipei urges dog owners to protect canines from rabies

The Taipei City Government urged dog owners to have their pets vaccinated against rabies or risk a heavy fine.

The Taipei Municipal Institute for Animal Health has fined a total of 12 dog owners NT$10,000 each so far this week for failing to follow regulations despite several warnings since April, Yen I-feng (嚴一峰), director of the institute said yesterday at Taipei City Hall.

Owners who persist in refusing to take their dogs to be vaccinated could be fined up to NT$50,000, he said.

Dog and cat owners are also required to have their pets implanted with ID chips to reduce the number of stray animals, Yen said.

Pet owners who fail to follow the regulations will be fined between NT$3,000 and NT$15,000 in accordance with the Animal Protection Law (動物保護法).

The city government has been encouraging dog and cat owners to have their pets implanted with identity chips, vaccinated against rabies and sterilized since April.

Yen said the measures are aimed at improving animal welfare and reducing the number of strays. They also seek to educate pet owners on the need for rabies prevention and control, he said.

A total of 163,704 dogs and cats have been implanted with ID chips and more than 50,000 dogs vaccinated since April, the institute said.

Pet owners who receive warnings from the institute will be given two weeks to complete required measures.

Yen urged pet owners who have not yet undertaken the measures to take their pets to certified vets where the implant fee is a discounted NT$250. The fee for the rabies vaccine is NT$200.

To find vets registered with the city government, visit the Web site www.tmiah.tcg.gov.tw or call 02-8789-1739.
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