Story By: John Feng, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Asia Wire Report
Video Credit: AsiaWire
A top police dog training school where a trainer was fined for abusing a German shepherd has now been shut after investigators unearthed an illegal breeding programme.
Long-Jieh Dog Training School – once dubbed Asia’s finest police dog academy – also faces a fine of up to 3 million TWD (77,770 GBP) for operating without a licence.
The school in Taoyuan’s Yangmei District in north-western Taiwan has been the subject of an official probe since 9th October, when one of its handlers was recorded whipping and stomping on a pooch in training.
Leaked images from the facility, which trains animals belonging to emergency services and private owners, also accused staff of starving and mistreating its resident dogs, including keeping them in filthy conditions.
The trainer in question accepted a 75,000 TWD (1,945 GBP) fine from the city’s Animal Protection Office for animal abuse, but inspectors said they found no evidence of substandard conditions or malnourished dogs during their visit.
This is despite undated social media videos showing skinny pooches pacing around their kennels as well as a cockroach-filled metal bowl.
Video Credit: AsiaWire
In a press conference on 14th October, Taoyuan officials announced that investigators discovered the school had been running an illegal breeding programme, keeping and selling pups to private individuals.
It was also operating without a licence, after having failed to renew its permit when moving to Yangmei from its previous location in Pingzhen District.
The police dog academy was ordered to be shut down pending further investigators, but disgraced owner Chen Chun-chieh has announced the school will be closed for good.
Chen, who faces the 3 million TWD (77,770 GBP) fine for operating without a licence, said he would officially retire as a police dog trainer.
His 32 residents dogs have been returned to their owners are given to other training facilities, he told local media.
Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan said investigations were ongoing, and that heavy fines would be handed out accordingly.
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