In Taipei, a pit bull raised by a man surnamed Hsu (徐) leaped out of a truck window and bit motorcyclists stopped at red lights twice in just 11 days. It is time to amend the law to increase the minimum penalties for dog attacks, to prevent irresponsible owners from continuing to let that kind of tragedy happen.
Article 20 of the Animal Protection Act (動物保護法) states that the “competent authority shall specify and declare the breed names of aggressive pets and relevant precaution to be taken.” The section titled “points to note for aggressive pets showing up in public places” says that dangerous dogs such as pit bulls should be placed in metal cages, or on chains or leashes no longer than 1.5m when entering and exiting public places, and they should also be muzzled.
Article 7 of the same law says: “An owner shall prevent his animal from infringing on the life, body, freedom, or property of others without due cause.”
However, what are an owner’s legal responsibilities if the dog bites a person? Contravention of Article 7 of the act only results in the seizure of the pet by the competent authority, while those who contravene Article 20 are only fined NT$30,000 to NT$150,000 (US$906 to US$4,532).
Moreover, according to Article 284 of the Criminal Code: “A person who negligently causes injury to another shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than one year, short-term imprisonment, or a fine of not more than NT$100,000; if serious physical injury results, he shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than three years, short-term imprisonment, or a fine of not more than NT$300,000.”
Article 276 of the code says:, “A person who negligently causes the death of another shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than five years, short-term imprisonment, or a fine of not more than NT$500,000.”
For the wealthy, such fines are insignificant. In Queensland, owners of dogs that attack another person causing serious injury or even death face three years in prison and a fine of A$108,000 (US$67,900). That is the kind of penalty that has a deterrent effect on owners.
We could learn from Australia’s example by lifting the minimum sentences and fines for dog attacks, such as at least two years of imprisonment or a fine of NT$600,000, so as to stop irresponsible owners from letting their dogs to hurt people freely.
It is not difficult to walk a dog on a leash. Hsu has said the pit bull is smart enough to open the window by itself. However smart it is, the dog would not be able to unleash itself.
Chi Chieh is the director of the New Party’s public opinion center.
Translated by Eddy Chang
The gutting of Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA) by US President Donald Trump’s administration poses a serious threat to the global voice of freedom, particularly for those living under authoritarian regimes such as China. The US — hailed as the model of liberal democracy — has the moral responsibility to uphold the values it champions. In undermining these institutions, the US risks diminishing its “soft power,” a pivotal pillar of its global influence. VOA Tibetan and RFA Tibetan played an enormous role in promoting the strong image of the US in and outside Tibet. On VOA Tibetan,
By now, most of Taiwan has heard Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an’s (蔣萬安) threats to initiate a vote of no confidence against the Cabinet. His rationale is that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)-led government’s investigation into alleged signature forgery in the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) recall campaign constitutes “political persecution.” I sincerely hope he goes through with it. The opposition currently holds a majority in the Legislative Yuan, so the initiation of a no-confidence motion and its passage should be entirely within reach. If Chiang truly believes that the government is overreaching, abusing its power and targeting political opponents — then
On a quiet lane in Taipei’s central Daan District (大安), an otherwise unremarkable high-rise is marked by a police guard and a tawdry A4 printout from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicating an “embassy area.” Keen observers would see the emblem of the Holy See, one of Taiwan’s 12 so-called “diplomatic allies.” Unlike Taipei’s other embassies and quasi-consulates, no national flag flies there, nor is there a plaque indicating what country’s embassy this is. Visitors hoping to sign a condolence book for the late Pope Francis would instead have to visit the Italian Trade Office, adjacent to Taipei 101. The death of
As the highest elected official in the nation’s capital, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) is the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) candidate-in-waiting for a presidential bid. With the exception of Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕), Chiang is the most likely KMT figure to take over the mantle of the party leadership. All the other usual suspects, from Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) to New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) to KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) have already been rejected at the ballot box. Given such high expectations, Chiang should be demonstrating resolve, calm-headedness and political wisdom in how he faces tough
RSS