Kaohsiung, Taiwan – July 5, 2025 — A wave of stray dog attacks in Yong’an District, Kaohsiung City has escalated into a public safety crisis, following the tragic death of an elderly swimmer who was surrounded and mauled by a pack of stray dogs in the sea on July 4. The incident has stirred outrage among residents and reignited concerns about uncontrolled stray dog populations in the area.
According to witnesses, the man was swimming near the coast when a group of aggressive stray dogs attacked him. Unable to defend himself or escape, the man drowned during the assault, marking one of the most alarming stray dog-related tragedies in recent memory.
Residents Blame Unregulated Feeding Practices
Locals say this incident was preventable and blame a group of individuals known as “dog moms”—animal lovers who routinely feed stray dogs, often under cover of night. He Yingcheng, chief of Xingang Village, revealed that some of these individuals dump leftover chicken heads and scraps along the roadside near fish ponds, attracting large groups of stray dogs.
“These people come late at night, dumping chicken heads on the roadside. Some of them have been caught multiple times and still beg to be let off,” He said, adding that one feeder was even caught a third time by angry residents.
The unregulated feeding has reportedly led to mass gatherings and rapid breeding of stray dogs, overwhelming the community and local authorities.
Animal Protection Department Struggles to Control Numbers
The Animal Protection Department confirmed that they have captured 51 stray dogs in the area so far this year, including 29 within the past week alone. Despite their efforts, officials admit that some dogs remain elusive—especially those that are more wary, aggressive, and quick to flee. These animals pose a greater threat to public safety and are much harder to capture.
While officials ramped up their efforts after reports of previous attacks—including on other swimmers last week—they were unable to prevent yesterday’s fatal incident, prompting criticism of the department’s overall strategy and effectiveness.
Community Demands Immediate Action
Residents say that multiple individuals, not just one, are responsible for the uncoordinated feeding around Yong’an Fishing Port, and that the problem has worsened due to a lack of enforcement. Despite several reports and warnings, authorities have not implemented stronger regulations or penalties against those enabling stray dog proliferation.
“This isn’t just about feeding dogs. It’s about public safety,” one frustrated resident said. “How many more people have to be hurt—or die—before something changes?”
The local government has yet to release a formal response to the incident, but public pressure is mounting for stricter regulation of stray dog feeding, enhanced animal control efforts, and clearer accountability from both feeders and officials.
