TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A pit bull jumped out of a pickup window on Wolong Street in Taipei’s Daan District and attacked a scooter rider before being restrained by the owner at 8:40 a.m. on Monday.
It was the second attack by the pit bull. The dog attacked another scooter rider on March 6 in Taipei’s Wenshan District, per CNA.
The Taipei City Animal Protection Office held a press conference later in the day and said the dog's owner and the two victims would be interviewed before imposing a fine and punishment. It did not rule out the possibility of confiscating the pit bull.
According to a preliminary investigation, when the owner named Hsu (徐) was waiting at a red light, the pickup window suddenly opened for an unknown reason, and the pit bull jumped out and bit the scooter rider. Hsu then restrained the dog and waited for police to arrive.
The injured rider was sent to the hospital for treatment but declined to press charges. The Taipei City Animal Protection Office also responded to the incident and arrived on the scene.
Hua Hsin-huei (華心惠), an official at the Taipei City Animal Protection Office, said Hsu will face punishment based on Article 20, Paragraph 2 of the Animal Protection Act, which stipulates "aggressive pets entering and leaving public places or places must be accompanied by adults, and appropriate protective measures must be taken." Owners of pets that injure someone for the first time may be fined between NT$30,000 and NT$90,000 (US$909-2,727).
Since the pit bull was involved in a second incident, according to relevant regulations, the owner faces a penalty ranging from NT$90,000 to NT$150,000.
Hua said that the dog was not confiscated after the first incident because Hsu promised to muzzle and use a leash for the pit bull when entering and leaving public places.
The Ministry of Agriculture has implemented restrictions on aggressive dog breeds such as pit bulls beginning in 2020. Such dogs must be accompanied by an adult, restrained on a leash not more than 1.5 meters long, and muzzled in all public settings.
In 2021, pit bulls were deemed a prohibited breed, with breeding banned in Taiwan and no importation from abroad.
