[quote=“belgian pie”]I have a huge problem around my area, almost every morning I need to clean-up dog shit in front of my door.
Reason, stray dogs are roaming this area with the pack, 10 or more sometimes join up. A couple of them ‘belong’ to some people around here but they don’t care for them so they have to look for food by themselves. A bunch of them look really not good, starting getting bold spots and are probably a flea’s nest.
I want to know what I can do about it, but don’t tell me to start taking care of them, not my duty and don’t have the time or place. I like dogs don’t get me wrong but this is over the top.
Should i contact the police and report the problem?[/quote]
I think contacting the police is not going to change anything about it other that maybe frustrate you because they most likely will not understand why your block deserves more attention then the rest of Taiwan.
You’re not the only one with this problem. Just outside our house lives a pack of stray dogs. They stick around because a lady feeds them everyday. I must say they’re probably the healthiest looking strays in Kaohsiung because of that. That’s where George comes from,(our first CNR case) and Lois, the mother who just recently had an abortion/spayed surgery.
I also love dogs, that’s no news but at night when I try to sleep and they all start barking, I don’t like them very much. In the summer with the air con running and the windows closed, it’s not so bad but in the winter it’s enough to keep me awake.
How to solve or help this problem? That’s a hell of a good question, especially if you’re limited with time, space and willingness to help. We got one dog neutered and one spayed in our local pack here and while it’s good, it only helps with not having more puppies to add to the problem later but it has no effect on the immediate problem of poop and noise because the dogs are still there doing what dogs do.
So the police will not help, you don’t have time and neither does everyone else on your block except the people feeding them as you mentioned. As for involving the media, I don’t think that’s going to work either, I don’t see why journalists would be bothered when they can just take the same footage outside their own house.
What you’re talking about here Belgian Pie is not only your problem, it’s a national problem, the stray overpopulation in Taiwan is truly alarming and your post shows just that.
I can fully comprehend with your concerns, who wants dog shit infesting their neighbourhood? No one. Who wants to help making a difference? Very few people.
In other words, what you have got there is a people problem, not a dog problem… These dogs need help and they’re just not getting that help.
This said, I have a suggestion or two. I believe you operate your own restaurant in Tapei. What if you could do something that would promote your business while raising funds and awareness for this problem? I’m thinking having a small area in your restaurant where you could set up a donation box, then have a few pictures and some literature explaining what you’re doing for the animals. You could also invite animal welfare organisations such as Animals Taiwan to have an event at your restaurant. I haven’t seen your restaurant and I don’t know how much business you do but for example you could schedule some events during the afternoon on weekends. That could help filling in the slow times for business and it would also benefit the animals.
I have no doubt that you could easily raise enough funds as a business owner to treat, neuter and re-home some of these dogs causing troubles outside your house.
Besides, I think the dogs are the victims here, not you. What you are experiencing is a direct consequence of people’s action. No offense intended, but to me you sound like a guy who wants to call the police because you shot yourself in the foot. And I don’t mean you, as in YOU, I mean the general population of Taiwan. Everyone complains about strays while more dogs are abandoned everyday and too few people take the time to do anything about it.
In brief, it comes down to what UKbikerchic posted…
I know you said: [quote]I want to know what I can do about it, but don’t tell me to start taking care of them, not my duty and don’t have the time or place. I like dogs don’t get me wrong but this is over the top. [/quote]
So my apologies for telling you that perhaps you could help these dogs but to be honest, you’re at a loss it seems with this problem and you’re a smart person, how are we supposed to come up with a solution even just in theory if you can’t do so yourself?
I presented what I think are good suggestions of ways you can help while promoting your business and without having to take dogs home and care for them and I did so with the best of intentions.
On this,
Good Luck!
bobepine