50 Dog Skeletons Found In Animal Shelter; Owner Charged With Abuse

Dozens of animal skeletons have been unearthed in a dog shelter in the northwestern region of Taiwan. Skeletons of around 40 to 50 canines were found scattered around the dog shelter in the Guanyin District of Taoyuan.

A group of animal welfare volunteers carried out the search while probing a case involving animal abuse and numerous other violations of the law, Taiwan News reported.

There have been multiple reports of mistreatment of animals at the shelter since 2021, Taoyuan's Animal Protection Office said. According to the outlet, the dog shelter belonged to a woman surnamed Li.

Li confessed to burying the dead dogs in the areas surrounding her shelter. She was charged with multiple violations, including animal abuse, ill-management of microchip implants, and negligence in applying for breeding permission, according to Agriharvest.

The dog shelter owner was also found accused of animal abuse in another shelter in New Taipei's Xindian district.

Li was fined NT$200,000 (US$6,496) by Taoyuan and NT$203,000 (US$6,592) by New Taipei authorities for breaching the Animal Protection Act and other violations.

This is not the first such case of animal abuse to be reported in Taiwan in recent months. In an earlier incident reported on Aug. 25, over 130 canines were rescued from farmland near Taiwan Line 66 in the Guanyin District and were provided emergency medical treatment.

The animal protection volunteers conducted a thorough search of the place after people reported finding skeletons of dogs scattered in the area. Upon searching, the volunteers found at least 20 carcasses of dogs, some of which were implanted with microchips, local news reported.

Gao Yujie, director of the Taoyuan City Animal Protection Department, pointed out that the dog park has been facing environmental and overcapacity problems. A majority of the animals that were rescued appeared malnourished and fragile due to ill-treatment.

One of the volunteers said the dog park often conducts adoption drives. However, the internal environment of the park is not suitable for the animals as many are underfed, pregnant, and unneutered.

"I hope the Animal Protection Department will strictly follow up," the volunteer said.