Taipei: A coalition of wildlife conservation groups convened at the Legislative Yuan to press lawmakers for decisive action on Taiwan's stray dog population. They proposed freezing the budget of the Ministry of Agriculture's (MOA) Animal Welfare Department until a comprehensive reduction plan is in place.

According to Focus Taiwan, Lee Tsung-chen, head of Taiwan Walk for Wildlife, criticized the government's "trap-neuter-release" strategy, citing its ineffectiveness and the social costs incurred. Traffic accidents involving animals have led to 42 fatalities and 14,030 injuries over the last five years. The Transportation Research Institute estimates a total social cost of stray animals at over NT$3.64 billion (US$115.18 million).

Cheng Hsien-tsan from the Leopard Cat Association of Taiwan highlighted the lack of comprehensive data on agricultural losses caused by stray dogs, noting that only Changhua County tracks such statistics. Extrapolating Changhua's data indicates over 550 incidents of stray dogs attacking livestock annually, resulting in financial losses of at least NT$30 million.

The conservation groups urged the MOA to systematically gather data on both agricultural losses and traffic accidents caused by stray dogs. They also recommended amending the Animal Protection Act to legally recognize long-term stray dog feeders as owners, and called for a freeze on funding for the MOA's Department of Animal Welfare until a detailed reduction plan is presented.

Beyond conservation issues, there have been several notable incidents of stray dogs attacking individuals, including a fatal attack on a swimmer in Kaohsiung last year. Critics attribute the problem to Taiwan's 2017 decision to ban euthanasia in public shelters, opting instead for trap-neuter-release measures.

In response to these criticisms, Department of Animal Welfare director Chiang Wen-chuan acknowledged the complexities of feeding stray dogs, which is sometimes necessary for sterilization efforts. MOA statistics reveal an 11.34 percent decrease in the stray dog population from 2022 to 2024, falling from 159,697 to 141,584. Chiang emphasized the importance of responsible pet ownership to curb the issue, advocating for neutering and preventing abandonment and free-roaming.