Dog "Health" suspected of being abused and killed; reward of NT$300,000 has been offered preluding 38-day investigation as complaint filed with Control Yuan

為了尋找失蹤的杜告犬「健康」，民眾不僅集資懸賞，並投入搜尋工作。

A recent case in Changhua County, Taiwan, involving the suspected abuse and killing of a dog named "Kang Jian," has sparked public concern and outrage. In addition to raising funds and offering a reward for information leading to the dog's whereabouts, the public has decided to petition the Control Yuan, demanding an investigation into the administrative handling of the incident.

In 2017, Taiwan's Legislative Yuan passed an amendment to the Animal Protection Act, significantly increasing the penalties for animal cruelty. However, in recent years, animal rights activists have pointed out that despite the increased penalties, the number of cases that actually go to trial and result in criminal convictions remains very limited. Many animal cruelty cases ultimately end with only administrative penalties, and local animal protection agencies are often criticized for their passive response to reports, failing to truly fulfill their role in protecting animals.

The incident that has drawn attention involves a white Dogo dog named "Health," who is just over one year old. In early February of this year, a video purportedly showing the owner whipping the dog's head with a rope circulated online. The dog was seen howling and struggling in the video, sparking shock and outrage among netizens. The Changhua County Animal Disease Control Center subsequently intervened and investigated, fining the owner NT$30,000 in accordance with the Animal Protection Act.

However, just as the public was hoping that relevant authorities would immediately protect the dog, "Health" went missing. Faced with inquiries about the dog's whereabouts, the owner repeatedly changed his story, first claiming the dog had been given up for adoption, then stating that it jumped out of the vehicle and fled during the adoption process. Due to these contradictory statements, coupled with surveillance footage showing the owner moving items late at night, public suspicion arose that the dog might have met with some misfortune.

As the case unfolded, concerned citizens and animal rights activists spontaneously launched a search operation and offered a reward for information leading to the discovery of "Health." The reward was gradually increased from the initial NT$50,000 to NT$300,000. Volunteers and residents searched the coastal areas of Changhua and related locations multiple times, hoping to find "Health's" whereabouts.

台灣彰化縣發生杜告犬「健康」(右圖)被虐殺疑案，民眾憤慨之餘，呼籲大家一同前往監察院陳情。

After a 38-day investigation, animal rights activists discovered the body of a dog with a fractured skull and decomposition in the seaweed along the Shengang coast in Changhua on March 14. The body's size and appearance were highly consistent with that of a "healthy" dog, but DNA testing is still needed to confirm its identity and cause of death.

This discovery has once again drawn public attention. Many people believe that if the relevant authorities had intervened quickly and taken protective measures in the early stages of the dog abuse video being exposed, the tragedy might have been avoided.

Therefore, members of the public have launched an action and plan to petition the Control Yuan on March 26, requesting an investigation into the administrative handling process of the entire case and an examination of whether there were any oversights in the relevant agencies' actions regarding animal protection reporting and enforcement.

Animal rights groups point out that the "health" incident once again highlights a long-standing problem: although laws exist, without active enforcement and timely intervention, tragedies of animal abuse may continue to occur.