A 76-year-old woman in Changhua County’s Pitou Township (埤頭) was attacked by three dogs resulting in more than 200 wounds after working on her farm on March 11, prompting calls from locals for the country government to address the threat of dog attacks.
The woman was quoted as saying that she was chased by three dogs and then bitten, causing multiple lacerations across the body. As of yesterday, she remained hospitalized.
Street surveillance camera footage showed the woman supporting herself with her bicycle as she walked away from the scene of the attack, with her clothes ripped apart by the dogs while her bare right arm showed bloody claw marks and bite wounds.
Photo courtesy of Wu Jin-tan
A family member of the woman said she sustained more than 200 wounds across her body, some of which have become infected and require long-term medical care.
A review of surveillance footage in recent days showed that just one day before the incident, a young man had also been chased and bitten by dogs in the same community.
The family member said if people fail to fulfill their responsibilities as pet owners and the government remains passive in addressing the stray dog problem, farmers would likely continue to be exposed to the threat.
Changhua County Councilor Wu Jin-tan (吳錦潭) said local residents told him that the three dogs were allegedly owned by a poultry farm nearby, and that they have also chased scooters, causing local panic.
The three dogs were allegedly hidden after the incident, he added.
Family members of the woman have reported the incident to the police, and authorities were assisting with retrieving surveillance footage and gathering information from the neighborhood to determine what happened, the police said.
The county government added that it has stepped up patrols in the area where the woman was attacked and would capture the dogs if they are spotted.
It also urged pet owners to fulfill their responsibilities and reminded them that under the Animal Protection Act (動物保護法), owners might face a fine up to NT$150,000 (US$4,682) for failing to use a leash or take appropriate protective measures.
Meanwhile, Changhua County Councilor Lai Ching-mei (賴清美) said 15 dogs in the county’s Hemei Township (和美) have attacked and injured several people, while another 15 dogs are often seen wandering the streets near Siansi Township (線西).
Lai said she only dared to take photos of the dogs from the safety of her car, and urged the county government to tackle the problem of irresponsible pet ownership and stray dogs to ensure public safety.
Additional reporting by Liu Hsiao-hsin
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