Taipei, March 13 (CNA) New Taipei is threatening heavy fines against American pit bull terrier owners who abandon their dogs in the city and offering rewards to people to help solve such cases after two pit bull terriers were left to fend for themselves in the past two weeks.
Owners of American pit bull terriers and American Staffordshire terriers are required to register their pets by today, the Taipei City Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office said.
As of last month, 155 pit bulls were registered in Taipei, the agency said.
Pet owners of the listed animals who fail to register their pets by today would face a fine of up to NT$15,000 for contravening Article 19 of the Animal Protection Act (動物保護法), while owners who fail to do so before March 1 next year would face a fine of up to NT$250,000 for contravening Article 26 of the act, it
Dog owners in New Taipei City who do not leash their pets outside face fines up to NT$15,000 as of yesterday.
The fines are part of the city’s animal protection ordinance promulgated on Monday. It also stipulates medical standards for veterinarians and pet care facilities.
The penalty is intended to address dog attacks in which people or pets were injured due to negligent dog owners, New Taipei City Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office Director Yang Shu-fang (楊淑方) said.
The fine for failing to leash a dog starts at NT$3,000, she said.
Indigenous people who require dogs to be unleashed for traditional rituals or