Film Triggers Debate on Plight of Taiwan’s Homeless Dogs
By
JENNY W. HSU
A new documentary about the plight of animals in Taiwan’s shelters has sparked a public discussion about the treatment of stray dogs and cats on the island, prompting the government to amend its policies.
“Twelve Nights,” shot almost entirely inside a government-run animal shelter in southern Taiwan, follows the fate of several stray dogs, starting from their initial capture on the streets. After 12 days in the shelter, the animals are destroyed, have died of disease, or, if they are lucky, end up in the arms of a new owner.
Although the problem of street dogs isn’t a fresh one in Taiwan, the movie has attracted a throng of animal lovers. As of the beginning of this week, “Twelve Nights” had pulled in more 30 million New Taiwan dollars (US$1 million) since its release on Nov. 29, according to the film’s distributor, a considerable amount for a documentary in Taiwan.
The film opens with a black-and-white puppy named Jumpy prancing happily in a well-manicured neighborhood and other harmless-looking dogs wandering the streets.
The scene quickly changes. Animals — including a kitten and a basket full of puppies — are jerked and tossed around by workers as they are taken to the shelter.
At the shelter, the camera pans across rows of rusty metal cages crowded with dogs, some of which try to gnaw their way out of confinement. Feeble dogs curl up in the corners, watching their peers being dragged around the shelter by their metal collars.
The film shows many dogs entering the shelter looking healthy but later falling ill or dying due to the rampant transmission of canine distemper and other diseases inside the facility.
Some critics of the film say producer Giddens Ko, a popular author and filmmaker, should have used his influence to highlight social problems affecting humans before helping stray animals. It’s the first documentary produced by Mr. Ko, whose 2011 coming-of-age comedy “You Are the Apple of My Eye”, which he directed, found commercial success and critical acclaim.
“I will be the first to admit to my own imperfections,” Mr. Ko, the owner of a rescued labrador, said in an interview. “However, I had no idea that I had to be a flawless saint and make sure all the children in the world have enough to eat before I can speak up for animals.” He said that he had also been called a hypocrite because he’s a meat-eater, and intends to remain so.
“I have no good rebuttal about my meat-eating habit, except to say, ‘Who set the rule that one has be a perfect vegetarian saint before he can save animals?’ ”
The film has done what Mr. Ko and the movie’s director, who goes by just the name of Raye, say it set out to do — stir up discussion about Taiwan’s stray animals and influence the government to address the problem.
Many Facebook users have joined Mr. Ko’s cause by adding the movie’s logo to their profile pictures. Several veterinarians have also publicly expressed their indignation over how the shelters are managed.
Raye said that her goal isn’t to condemn the shelter workers, because they, too, are victims of the system. The purpose of the film, she said, is to influence policy makers with more effective solutions on reducing the stray-animal population, including adoption, laws requiring pet owners to implant microchips in their pets for ID purposes, and neutering or spaying animals.
Since the film’s release, Taiwan’s Council of Agriculture has announced plans to implement new programs starting next year to promote responsible pet ownership, such as additional subsidies for neutering, free vaccinations, and gifts for animals that are adopted from a public shelter.
Taiwan’s public animal shelters took in more than 11,400 animals last year, during which time 50% were destroyed and 29% were placed in new homes, according to the Council of Agriculture. (Most of the remaining 21% died while in the shelter.)
“We understand that most people who watch this movie already like dogs, and those who should watch it may opt not to,” Raye said. “But that’s fine, because we believe the movie will start a domino effect [of awareness] that begins with the animal lovers.”
Raye, who ended up adopting Jumpy just before he was slated for lethal injection, said that the film’s box office is important because “each ticket represents one person who wants to see the system changed.”
Mr. Ko and Raye said that all proceeds from the movie will be donated to promote animal-protection awareness in Taiwan.
Structure of the Lead：
WHO-
WHEN-
WHAT-A movie about homeless dogs
WHY- To pay attention for homeless dogs
WHERE-Taiwan
HOW-not given
Keywords： 1.documentary：紀錄片 2.amend：修改 3.well-manicured：精心修剪 4.rebuttal：反駁 5.veterinarian：獸醫 6.Agriculture：農業 7.vaccination：疫苗接種 8.injection：注射 9.jerked：搐動10.initial：最初的
Keywords： 1.documentary：紀錄片 2.amend：修改 3.well-manicured：精心修剪 4.rebuttal：反駁 5.veterinarian：獸醫 6.Agriculture：農業 7.vaccination：疫苗接種 8.injection：注射 9.jerked：搐動10.initial：最初的
