On March 22, 2025, a startling incident unfolded in Luzhou District, New Taipei City, as a dog attack left a woman and her pet severely injured. Ms. Bao was walking her mixed-breed dog with her brother when an unleashed black mixed-breed bolted free from its leash and attacked. The situation spiraled into chaos as the aggressive canine not only mauled Ms. Bao's dog, leaving it with horrific injuries such as severe lacerations and signs of slight pneumothorax, but also inflicted puncture wounds on Ms. Bao's left lower leg.
The altercation, lasting approximately three minutes, was chaotic. According to Mr. Bao, who witnessed the attack, they had just moved away from a nearby street when they were confronted by a dog that had ruptured its restraints from a motorcycle. His own dog suffered bodily harm, and both he and Ms. Bao were bitten during the frantic struggle. Only after they screamed did the owner of the attacking dog, Mr. Huang, finally appear, though he seemed unfazed and unhelpful.
"I saw the dog charging at us, and we were helpless to stop it," Mr. Bao recounted. "It only got worse when the owner did nothing to help us. He just stood there and said it was a mutual fight between our dogs. He offered no apologies or any assistance at all." Ms. Bao subsequently required emergency medical treatment due to the severity of her wound, which continues to inflame and impede her daily activities as she must now take antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
The injured dog also faced a grave situation, with veterinary care expenses soaring to nearly 20,000 NTD. The vet diagnosed it with two significant lacerations where the skin had pulled away from the muscle. Treatment required the use of bandages for compression, and the prognosis seemed uncertain as the pet appeared lethargic and struggled to find rest.
The local authorities are now involved. The Luzhou Police Department confirmed that it has accepted the charges filed by Ms. Bao against Mr. Huang for negligent injury. Further actions are scheduled, as they notified Mr. Huang to provide an explanation regarding the incident. However, authorities noted that he has yet to present himself for questioning.
New Taipei City’s Animal Protection Office indicated that Mr. Huang failed to manage his pet adequately, enabling it to attack others. Fines ranging from 3,000 to 15,000 NTD are set to be imposed on him in adherence to animal protection statutes. Moreover, they determined the dog to be of an aggressive breed, which will lock in further restrictions, including mandatory leashing of under 1.5 meters and wearing a muzzle in public settings. Additionally, a pet behavior specialist will be deployed to work on correcting the dog's aggressive tendencies.
This incident has sparked discussions among local residents about pet safety and responsibilities. "It’s simply unacceptable for any dog to be aggressive without its owner taking responsibility. Dog owners need to ensure their pets are properly secured, especially in public areas," commented a resident who prefers to remain anonymous.
Ms. Bao's case exemplifies a pressing issue in urban areas where unleashed or poorly controlled dogs can lead to serious injuries. To address this concern, community members are calling for clearer regulations around pet ownership and stricter enforcement of existing laws. Many feel that consequences for non-compliance need to be heightened to assure public safety.
As the investigation continues, Ms. Bao hopes to recover from her wounds while advocating for better handling of aggressive dogs in neighborhoods. "I want to make sure no one else goes through this again," she expressed passionately. "Owners must take their responsibilities seriously, or these attacks will continue to happen." The community's safety hangs in the balance, as vigilance and accountability must prevail in the dog ownership culture.
