Brian Hioeby Brian Hioe
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Photo Credit: 為野生動物而走 行動聯盟/Facebook
SEVERAL THOUSAND demonstrated in early November in Taipei, calling for a strengthening of policies regarding stray animals in order to protect wildlife. This took place as part of the second Taiwan Walk for Wildlife (TWW), which took the form of a street fair and demonstration in the streets around the Legislative Yuan.
In particular, the demonstration sought to call attention to the fact that stray dogs and cats are among the largest threats to wildlife in Taiwan. This includes endangered species, such as the leopard cat and Formosan muntjac. Wild birds are also threatened by stray cats or dogs.
Among the demands of the protest, then, were to list stray dogs and cats as invasive species, so as to allow for better awareness of the issue.
Trap, neuter, and return policies were called for in order to reduce the number of stray dogs and cats that may harm wild animals. Namely, although the government sought to relocate stray dogs and educate local residents in ecological hotspots about feeding wild dogs after the 2023 Taiwan Walk for Wildlife, these measures were criticized as insufficient. Organizers pointed out that many local residents still do not know that feeding wild dogs contributes to the issue of stray animals. Indeed, organizers also highlighted that many stray dogs are in poor health, and that there are a substantial number of stray dogs in Taiwan, with close to 160,000 in 2022.
Likewise, organizers called for a legal clarification on the definition of owners. There continues to be legal ambiguity on whether individuals who feed stray animals are legally their owners. TWW organizers have called for clarity on the issue in the hope that this leads to less ambiguity on who has the legal responsibility for animals.
Photo credit: 為野生動物而走 行動聯盟/Facebook
There have been increased demonstrations for animal rights in Taiwan in past years. In 2022, for example, a march called for an amendment to enshrine animal rights in the constitution. The march was among the rare protests in Taiwan to enjoy bipartisan support, with politicians from the DPP, KMT, NPP, and TPP all making appearances at the rally, and giving speeches to the effect. President Tsai Ing-wen also indicated support for the demands of the protests. Issues regarding what rights to enshrine, however, would have likely been debated, such as regarding the fattening of pigs for Hakka harvest festivals, or Indigenous hunting.
And so it may not be surprising that there has been little follow-up on the idea from politicians. It would be a challenge passing a constitutional amendment, seeing as the Legislative Yuan’s Constitutional Amendment Committee would have to approve the issue, which would then be voted on at a legislative session that 3/4ths of all legislators needed to be present. 3/4th of the legislators present would then need to support the amendment.
Finally, the constitutional amendment would be put to a national vote in an upcoming referendum, and would pass into law if half of all eligible voters supported it. This has not happened, however, despite that a quick timeline was then promised for a vote.
Nevertheless, it proves newer for protests focused on the issue of stray animals in Taiwan. Namely, historically the animal rights movement has seen splits regarding the issue of that there is a disproportionate focus on matters pertaining to common household pets, such as cats and dogs, and not other issues.
It may be a welcome move for there to be a protest to take up the issue of when cats and dogs cause harm to other animals, then. At the same time, voters may still overwhelmingly focus on issues involving cats and dogs in a manner that prevents action from politicians. This is to be seen.