TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taitung County Environmental Protection Bureau (TTEPB) has recently noticed a surge in reports of dog owners leaving their pet's poop in public spaces. This issue accounted for 1.53% of all cases reported between January and September 2023.
The biggest challenge is that by the time TTEPB inspectors arrive, the dog owners have already left, making it difficult to provide evidence of their actions. Moreover, despite verified evidence from witnesses, incidents of intimidation, including threats with knives, have further complicated the issue.
To address this problem, the TTEPB is urging dog owners to be more civic-minded and responsible. They are recommending that owners bring necessary cleaning supplies such as leashes, poop scoops, waste bags, and water bottles when walking their dogs.
To ensure a cleaner environment for both dogs and people, the TTEPB will levy fines ranging from NT＄1,200 to NT＄6,000 for owners found guilty of polluting the public space by leaving dog poop.