Taiwan has earned a bad reputation for cruelty toward animals
and leniency toward clear animal rights violations. On May 2,
2012, animal rights activists in Taipai proposed an independant
agency dedicated to protecting the rights of animals. Currently,
the Council of Agriculture (CoA) handles animal rights
protection as well as livestock, foresty and fishing issues.
Unfortunately, having the same agency handle livestock and
animal protections creates a conflict of interest. A separate
agency with enough resources and funds to handle animal rights
issues would ensure better treatment for the country's animals.
Kota Kinabalu authorities are required to take stray dogs to an
animal shelter, where they will receive care for at least 48
hours. Unfortunately, this regulation is not being respected. In
response to recent complaints about strays, authorities
approached a citizen and requested that he kill stray dogs with
a blowpipe and poison darts. The shooter claims to have killed
5,000 dogs with his blowpipe since