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