A Pair of Maimed Strays
This evening, ACT received some photos and videos from someone traveling on a mountain road near central Taiwan earlier in the afternoon, and what we saw was very saddening. The footage depicted a very friendly black dog whose front-left foot had been cut off and a thin, brown-and-white dog hobbling around nervously behind him. Her back-right leg was held high, and a wire was hanging from the remains of a foot that had become rotten from lack of circulation. Both were obviously two more Taiwan strays who had fallen victim to cruel poachers’ gin traps and wire snares. We of course dispatched a rescue team immediately.
One Easy, One More Difficult
When our rescuers arrived on scene after two hours of driving, they couldn’t find the dogs at the location we were given. Thankfully, they explored the area a little more and found a small drive leading up into some kind of work area, with a small tin-roof building and several dogs outside. The friendliest of them was the black one from the video; it was clear that his injury was old and already healed over. Losing his foot hadn’t impeded his spirit, and he showed that he was very happy to have visitors.
The other dog, however, ran away as soon as we walked up the drive. The more recently maimed stray kept her distance from our rescuers and disappeared into the trees when they tried to carefully approach her. They knew it was best not to chase her.
Back at Dawn
Our rescue team decided that it would be best to come back at first light, when the nervous dog would be easier to find and catch. They’ll most likely use a humane cage trap baited with delicious food to entice the skinny dog in. They’ll use a stick to hold open the trap door, with a string leading from it to their rescue vehicle, where they’ll wait patiently. Should the wrong dog go in, they can just leave the door open so as not to cause alarm. But, when the girl with the wire snare on her leg enters, they can pull the string to quickly and safely trap her inside.
Wish us—and this poor girl—luck! We want to get her to a vet as soon as possible to end her suffering and start her on a safer, more comfortable life in ACT care. Hopefully we’ll catch her without having to wait too long.
We’ll be sure to post an update as soon as we have her, so stay tuned.
Become an ACT donor today and transform the life of a suffering Taiwan stray
Please, please, please—this is our busiest time of year for rescues, and our team are out at all hours of night and day, seven days a week, doing what they can to save lives; if you’re thinking of donating to an animal charity any time soon, please consider ACT. We have no large salaries and our admin costs are at the low end of the perfect range for animal charities.
Donating is quick, easy, and secure. Our donation form below accepts debit card, credit card, PayPal, Venmo, Google Pay or Apple Pay. Please consider becoming a monthly donor—not only does it help ensure these lifesaving 24-hour animal rescues can continue, it helps us plan better and spend less time fundraising and more time saving lives. Many of our donors decide to reduce their intended single donation and turn it into many smaller ones instead; for example, instead of donating £30 today, they sign up to give £10 per month. Maybe you would like to do the same.
Your kind donation—whether it’s big or small, monthly or one-time—truly makes a difference. We receive no government support and these maimed dogs rely on the kindness of people like you to help ensure their rescue, treatment, and lifelong care. Please join us in transforming the lives of Taiwan’s suffering strays—and giving dogs like these the best chance possible of a brighter, happier future.
Whatever and however you give, please know that we and the suffering strays of Taiwan are very grateful for your kindness. Thank you.
More updates about this maimed pair very soon.
