TAIPEI (Taiwan News) -- An owner of a cat has been fined a total of NT$60,000 for sending it to a shelter via express mail last month, announced the New Taipei City Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office Wednesday (Jan. 9).
In December of last year, an animal shelter in New Taipei City received a parcel that contained a pet cat. After conducting and investigation, officials were able to locate the owner, who confessed to deliberately mailing the cat in a box to the shelter to get rid of it.
At noon on December 11, an animal shelter in New Taipei City's Banciao District received a cardboard appliance box from an express delivery courier. Curious to see what it contained, a staff member shined a flashlight inside through one of the holes and soon discovered cat huddled inside.
Cat inside box. (New Taipei City Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office photo)
The New Taipei City Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office began an investigation, and after reviewing surveillance camera footage and information from the delivery company, they were able to identify the owner as a 33-year-old man surnamed Yang (楊). Yang confessed to authorities that he had decided to get rid of the cat because of mobility problems it suffered from.
Yang said that the cat, a Scottish fold, had injured its hind leg more than a year ago, and despite acupuncture and moxibustion therapy, the cat's mobility did not improve. He said that because he no longer had time to take care of it, he put in a box and sent it to the Banciao shelter via express delivery.
Delivery scooter. (New Taipei City Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office photo)
The express delivery company said that the transaction was arranged through an APP and did not ask about the contents of the package the client wanted delivered. The company claims it has a provision that does not allow the carrying of live animals, but the office will further investigate the company's role in the incident.
For abandoning the cat, Yang was fined NT$30,000 for violating the Animal Protection Act (動物保護法). He was then fined an additional NT$30,000 for not getting the cat vaccinated, a violation of the Statute for the Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Disease (動物傳染病防治條例).
Vet examines cat. (New Taipei City Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office photo)
Chen Yuan-chuan (陳淵泉), director of New Taipei City Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office, angrily said to UDN that this was not only a violation of laws concerning the transport of animals, but the cat could have suffocated due to poor ventilation. The Animal Protection Act stipulates that no one shall illegally abandon their pets, if they wish to give them away, they should contact the New Taipei City Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office or a nearby shelter.
Vet treats cat. (New Taipei City Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office photo)
New Taipei City Government Animal Protection & Health Inspection Office
– Address: 新北市板橋區四川路一段157巷2號 (New Taipei City, Banqiao District, Section 1 Sichuan Road, Lane 157, No. 2)
– Phone Number: 02-2959-6353; Customer Service Hotline: 0800-669769
– Office Hours: Mondays – Fridays 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.; 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Welcomes adoptions on weekends)
Click on this link for an extensive list of animal shelters in Taiwan.
