Keeping the streets clean: Dog feces collection and rewards exchange activity

Words and photos by Taichung City Government
Translated by Naomi Lai

The Taichung City Government has enacted new regulations to battle the problem of dog feces left on public streets by pets and their owners. These new guidelines offer rewards to those who help keep public spaces free of feces, and ban pet owners from leaving behind their dog's droppings after walking them, or from allowing their dogs to wander loose in public without supervision and clean-up. It is hoped that this will help change pet owners' habits and result in a cleaner Taichung.

On Oct. 21, the Taichung City Environmental Protection Bureau launched its "Dog Feces Collection and Rewards Exchange Activity", encouraging public participation in clearing public areas of pet feces. Dog feces collected from Taichung's public streets can be taken to Bureau collection points, where it will be weighed and exchanged for gift certificates. Rewards will also be given to encourage the public to report pet owners who violate these new regulations. Photos of such violations in public areas can be turned in, together with the violator's relevant information, to the Taichung City Environmental Bureau for evaluation. Once the offense is confirmed, individuals filing such reports can receive up to 30% of the fine paid by the violator.

In order to prevent pet owners from getting the idea that they can now leave dog feces behind because other people are helping with clean-up, the Environmental Protection Bureau will also further enforce regulations by fining owners who do not clean up after their pets. According to the Waste Disposal Law, such violators face fines of NT$1,200 to NT$6,000. Regarding owners who do not carry feces-cleaning devices when walking their pets, there will also be a NT$600 to NT$3,000 fine. Pets allowed to wander loose and defecate without restrictions from their owners will be traced via embedded ID microchips, which are currently required of all pets.
Everyone is welcomed to participate in this campaign and help clean up dog droppings in the city's public areas. With the cooperation and efforts of all, together with enforced rules and regulations, Taichung hopes to offer residents and visitors a clean, sanitary living environment.