PETA: Sanchong Shelter Is An Embarrassment to Taiwan

[Guest guest]

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/local/taipei/2008/06/07/159892/PETA:-Sanc

hong.htm

 

 

 

 

PETA: Sanchong shelter is an embarrassment to Taiwan

 

Saturday, June 7, 2008

By Dimitri Bruyas, The China Post

 

 

 

 

 

 

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Sanchong Mayor Lee Chien-lung has turned a deaf ear so far

to a Hong Kong-based animal rights organization's sustained complaints about

care provided in the local animal refuge.

 

" It is an outrage that animals would be allowed to suffer in this way, "

writes Jason Baker, director of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

(PETA) in his May 29 letter to the mayor.

 

" Sanchong shelter is an embarrassment to Taiwan and has proven to be the

worst shelter in the country, " he adds.

 

But to no avail. The mayor, the cleaning and veterinarian departments just

put the blame on each other.

 

PETA has been working with animal shelters all over Taiwan for the last few

years in an effort to improve conditions for animals. The non-profit

interest group has more than 1.8 million members and supporters worldwide.

 

However, the group deplores the fact that with the exception of the Sanchong

shelter, all other shelters on the island have made notable improvements in

recent years.

 

On May 21, during a routine visit to Sanchong's animal refuge, PETA staffers

found a dog lying on the cement floor of a kennel unable to walk or even

lift its head.

 

The dog houses had just been cleaned, but the shelter staff had made no

attempt to move the wounded animal, as it was soaked in water as well as his

own feces, blood and urine.

 

The shivering animal's fur was matted, pus oozed from his eyes, and his back

legs were swollen and covered in lacerations.

 

Although PETA staffers immediately requested a veterinarian, the man failed

to euthanize the dog properly. It later died in transport to a veterinary

clinic.

 

" Sanchong's shelter has only gone from bad to worse, " writes Baker, in

reference to the various inspections PETA members have conducted since 2004.

 

 

He further argues that the current facility does not provide any protection

from the rain, wind, or sun, while suggesting installing a curtain-like

system that would allow workers to protect the dogs from the element.

 

Contacted by The China Post, the office of the mayor declined to comment on

the letter, as Lee Chien-lung's secretary merely sent inquiries about PETA's

letter from one department to another.

 

" It's a temporary shelter ... we are improving slowly, but there isn't

enough staff on the spot, " admitted Doctor Jimmy Chao, the veterinarian in

charge of Sanchong city government's animal shelter.

 

Chao used the refuge's limited financial of the local government as an

excuse for the terrible condition at the refuge, which accommodates

thousands of stray dogs, cats, pigs and chickens each year.

 

" Our total budget for medical treatments amounts to no more than NT$40,000

per year, " he acknowledged.

 

" I know that the shelter is on a small budget, but the bottom line is that

if the shelter does not have the budget to care for these animals, they

should not be taking them in, " replied Ashley Fruno, who, conducted the

routine visit at Sanchong's animal refuge on May 21.

 

Fruno, a senior campaigner for PETA Asia-Pacific, contended that the shelter

allows animal suffering to occur on a day to day basis, which is

inexcusable.

 

" The sad reality is that these animals are likely better off on the street

than at Sanchong's shelter, " she explained, calling the refuge " a national

embarrassment. "

 

 

 

 

Copyright C 2008 The China Post.