Brian Hioeby Brian Hioe
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Photo Credit: Outlookxp/WikiCommons/CC BY-SA 4.0
A NEW PROPOSAL calls for the implementation of humane euthanasia at animal shelters in Taiwan.
Taiwan has not implemented culling in animal shelters since June 2017. The phasing out of culling took place due to a public outcry that ensued following the release of the documentary Twelve Nights. Twelve Nights detailed how animals faced euthanasia twelve days from the time of their arrival in shelters. As a result, it is estimated that between 1999 and 2015, 1.23 million dogs were euthanized in the Taiwanese shelter system.
The proposal for humane euthanasia stems from the view that it would be more humane to euthanize animals dying of old age or disease in cramped shelter spaces. After culling stopped being carried out in animal shelters, this has led to animal shelters becoming overcrowded. Indeed, a follow-up to Twelve Nights details how after the end to culling for strays, this led to shelters, especially leading shelters in rural areas that lack resources, to become overcrowded.
Though euthanasia is allowed to be carried out for animals with infectious diseases, incurable illnesses, or that affect public sanitation, this is rarely carried out. The rate of euthanasia at shelters is below one percent, according to Department of Animal Welfare Director Chiang Wen-chuan.
This debate regarding euthanasia occurs at a time in which animal rights have become increasingly valued in Taiwan. In 2022, during the Tsai administration, a march was organized by animal rights groups calling for animal rights to be enshrined in the constitution. The issue enjoyed bipartisan support, with Tsai Ing-wen stating to the DPP Central Standing Committee that she supported the demands of the protestors, and the KMT and DPP alike making appearances at the rally. Likewise, during high-profile elections, politicians such as 2022 DPP Taipei mayoral candidate Chen Shih-chung made campaign promises such as building parks and public infrastructure for pets.
Recently, in August, President Lai Ching-te made a public appearance at the Asia for Animals Coalition Conference (AACC) to tout Taiwan’s progress when it comes to animal protection. Lai specifically cited the end of culling in his comments. According to AACC co-chair Sirjana Nijjar, this was the first time that she had seen a president attend an animal rights conference.
At the same time, animal rights advocates have been critical of the lack of progress on policies aimed at reducing the number of stray dogs in Taiwan. Local governments have been called on to work on efforts to reduce the number of wild dogs, which pose a threat to other forms of wildlife, as well as implement further regulations on the selling and breeding of dogs and cats, as well as a ban on caging dogs.
Animal rights advocates have also sought to call for a ban on racing pigeons, as well as live auctions for pigs, in which pigs are forced into small spaces and hit with electric prods. Restrictions on rat poison and snares for wild boars.
More generally, it has long been a matter of criticism in the animal rights movement that government policy disproportionately focuses on dogs and cats to the exclusion of other issues. This is thought to be a means of winning votes.
Animal rights appears to be one of the rare issues in Taiwan that enjoys largely bipartisan support, but it proves another matter entirely as to whether the DPP and KMT are willing to expend political capital on animal rights legislation. Yet in the absence of any public outcry, such as led to the end of culling practices, it is probable that there will be little action on animal rights issues.