Taipei: More than 1,000 stray dogs are estimated to be roaming around Renyitan Reservoir in Chiayi County, where local authorities say pet abandonment has become a persistent problem. Lin Pei-ju, director of the Chiayi County Livestock Disease Control Center, highlighted the issue in a recent Facebook post, indicating that the reservoir has effectively become a "sacred site" for pet abandonment, accompanied by what she described as misguided acts of charity.

According to Focus Taiwan, the area is home to more than 1,000 stray dogs and over 30 regular feeders. Lin explained that the center launched an enhanced stray dog management project in the Renyitan area earlier this year, following promising results with an AI-assisted "smart fence" capture system in the county's coastal areas the previous year. However, challenges persist as surveillance footage has shown some animal feeders deliberately disrupting capture efforts by releasing dogs that had entered the smart fence enclosure.

Each year, several hundred dogs are abandoned in the area, perpetuating a cycle that allows the stray population to grow. Lin recounted a recent field visit with a local farmer where she witnessed someone abandoning five or six newborn puppies near the reservoir, underscoring the persistence of illegal pet dumping.

Lin urged individuals who feed stray animals to cooperate with authorities, assisting in arranging neutering and rabies vaccinations, and allowing aggressive dogs to be taken to shelters when necessary. She emphasized that dog owners should comply with regulations by microchipping and neutering their pets to help prevent further abandonment.

Renyitan Reservoir, located on the border of Fanlu Township in Chiayi County and Chiayi City, is surrounded by water source protection areas, forests, and farmland. The relatively low human activity makes it an attractive location for people to abandon animals. The large stray dog population in the area has long been a concern for local residents and visitors, as noted by the center.