Extermination? 4 Puppies Die of Poisoning in Tainan, Animal Protection Office Tests Vomit

A dog poisoning incident occurred in a bamboo grove near Sharen 1st Street, Guiren District, Tainan City, on the afternoon of the 7th. Four black and white, neutered puppies were found dead in a ditch. Three died on the spot, while the fourth convulsed and died in extreme agony. Unidentified vomit and suspected poisoned bait were found at the scene. A witness lamented, "They were already neutered, why would anyone want to exterminate them?" Upon receiving the report at 2:05 PM on the 7th, the Tainan City Animal Protection and Health Office immediately dispatched personnel to the scene for a thorough search, confirming that a total of 4 dogs were affected. Animal protection officers have collected the dogs' vomit and suspected poisoned bait for testing. One dog's body was also taken for further examination of stomach contents to determine the exact cause of death. Preliminary investigations suggest the puppies died from ingesting rat poison. The Guiren Police Precinct is simultaneously reviewing surveillance footage from the surrounding area to identify any suspicious individuals who may have placed the poisoned bait. The Animal Protection Office and the police are jointly investigating the case. Notably, there have been persistent reports of cats and dogs being poisoned along Provincial Highway 157, from Guiren to the border of Kaohsiung, for many years. Residents suspect a connection to nearby poultry and livestock farms. According to Article 25-1 of the Animal Protection Act, individuals who use drugs to cause the death of multiple animals, with severe circumstances, can face imprisonment of 1 to 5 years and a fine of NT$500,000 to NT$5,000,000. The competent authority may also publish the offender's name, photo, and details of the violation. The Animal Protection Office emphasized that if intentional poisoning is confirmed, the perpetrator will be prosecuted according to the law without leniency. If they were indeed poisoned, what kind of grudge could lead to such cruelty? 😦