Rabies Cases on the Rise: Dogs and Cats Banned from National and Flatland Forest Recreation Areas for One Year

Rabies cases continue to rise. According to statistics from the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ), cases of rabies infection in ferret badgers have been continuously detected in 9 counties and cities and 77 townships. To prevent the epidemic from spreading, the Forestry Bureau has announced that for the coming year (August 1, 2017 to July 31, 2018), dogs, cats and other mammals will continue to be banned from the national forest recreation areas, flatland forest parks and Lala Mountain Nature Reserve under its jurisdiction.

Dogs, cats and other mammalian pets banned from all national forest and flatland recreation areas under the Forestry Bureau

According to the rabies surveillance report from BAPHIQ, positive rabies cases have continued to be detected this year (2017), and to date 8 incidents of rabid ferret badgers biting people have occurred. Given the severity of the rabies epidemic, if a pet is attacked by a rabies-infected wild animal, it not only puts the pet at risk but also raises safety concerns for the owner and other visitors. To effectively reduce the chances of contact between pets and wild animals, the decision was made to continue the epidemic prevention measures.

The scope of this notice banning dogs, cats and other mammals includes 18 national forest recreation areas: Taipingshan, Neidong, Manyueyuan, Dongyanshan, Guanwu, Dasyueshan, Baxianshan, Wuling, Hehuanshan, Aowanda, Alishan, Tengjhih, Shuangliu, Kenting, Zhiben, Xiangyang, Fuyuan and Chihnan; as well as the Danongdafu Flatland Forest Park, Aogu Wetland Forest Park and Linhousilin Flatland Forest Park. In addition, the 3 forest recreation areas of Qilan, Mingchi and Huisun Forest Farm are also areas where dogs, cats and other mammals are banned by notice.

The Forestry Bureau reminds the public that under the Statute for Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Diseases, anyone found bringing pets into announced areas such as forest recreation areas, flatland forest parks and Lala Mountain Nature Reserve without authorization may be fined between 50,000 yuan and 1,000,000 yuan.

It also urges visitors to forest recreation areas and similar sites not to touch or feed wild animals. If an animal suspected of being infected with rabies is found, it should immediately be reported to the animal disease prevention authorities or the relevant forest district office under the Forestry Bureau. The Forestry Bureau invites everyone to jointly protect Taiwan's rich ecological environment.

(The lead image is for illustration only and is not the dog involved; image source: photo credit: doranyiro Hike via photopin (license))