調查員日誌 --基隆市老狗皮膚病疑似未給醫療 Suspected lack of medical treatment of an aged dog plagued with skin disease in Keelung City
圖片來源: 報案者
Image Source: From the caller
TSPCA調查部門於今年2月底接獲民眾通報一起疑似不當飼養案件。該民眾表示，近日在一間早餐店隔壁發現一隻狗狗被鍊在騎樓的機車上，一直叫、一直哭，全身髒汙且疑似有皮膚病，甚至還發現主人餵狗狗喝冷氣機留出來的髒水。由於報案者擔心狗狗長期被養在屋外、沒有受到醫療以及良好照顧，因此便請求TSPCA的協助。
經協會調查部門現場訪查，Lucky（狗狗名字）其實是飼養在一樓屋內，由於飼主是一對老夫婦，大部分時間都待在家中，所以只要天氣比較好的時候，飼主就會將牠牽到騎樓下曬太陽、吹風。由於Lucky已經17歲了，因此皮膚才會有色素沉澱及角質增生，飼主也表示之前有針對皮膚的問題帶Lucky去動物醫院做過檢查，但當時獸醫並沒有發現任何問題。而協會獸醫師在現場檢視也判斷皮膚主要是自然老化，並無進一步檢查的必要性。
此外，飼主也表示，Lucky因年老而有尿失禁的問題，所以平時準備了非常多的報紙、紙箱，只要Lucky一尿濕就可以立即更換，調查專員也注意到Lucky的生活環境非常乾淨，沒有任何異味。同時，屋內也有許多狗餅乾、狗零食。Lucky甚至也有自己專屬的電暖器。種種跡象也顯示飼主並無違法之外，也給予了妥善照顧，因此全案應為誤會一場。
其實，協會調查部門接獲許多物因動物皮膚狀況不佳，而被懷疑為飼主未給醫療。但經協會後續調查發現，有許多僅是老年動物常見的黑色素沉澱或是毛皮狀況退化。因此協會調查部門也建議民眾，下次看到類似狀況除了應先拍照蒐證，也可先仔細觀察以下幾點狀況來評估動物是否具有緊急醫療的必要性：
1. 動物是否對周遭事物完全沒反應，姿勢扭曲僵硬…等等。
--可能代表動物因病不適或是出現劇烈疼痛。
2. 外觀是否有明顯的出血。
3. 是否有紅疹或不規則的脫毛…等等。
4. 動物附近是否有拉稀或是嘔吐物。
5. 是否有一直抓癢或啃咬腳指的現象。
雖然實際健康情形仍須交由獸醫師來做評估，但若有上述情況的話，也代表著動物應有進行進一步醫療的必要性，而若民眾家中也有飼養動物的話，飼主也應隨時注意動物的精神、食慾、外觀、排便、排尿...等等，若有發現異常，也務必要立即將動物帶至動物醫院交由獸醫師進行檢查、診斷或後續治療，以免觸犯動物保護法。
法律小常識
動保法第11條
飼主對於受傷或罹病之動物，應給與必要之醫療。
動物之醫療及手術，應基於動物健康或管理上需要，由獸醫師施行。但因 緊急狀況或基於科學應用之目的或其他經中央主管機關公告之情形者，不在此限。
經協會調查部門現場訪查，Lucky（狗狗名字）其實是飼養在一樓屋內，由於飼主是一對老夫婦，大部分時間都待在家中，所以只要天氣比較好的時候，飼主就會將牠牽到騎樓下曬太陽、吹風。由於Lucky已經17歲了，因此皮膚才會有色素沉澱及角質增生，飼主也表示之前有針對皮膚的問題帶Lucky去動物醫院做過檢查，但當時獸醫並沒有發現任何問題。而協會獸醫師在現場檢視也判斷皮膚主要是自然老化，並無進一步檢查的必要性。
此外，飼主也表示，Lucky因年老而有尿失禁的問題，所以平時準備了非常多的報紙、紙箱，只要Lucky一尿濕就可以立即更換，調查專員也注意到Lucky的生活環境非常乾淨，沒有任何異味。同時，屋內也有許多狗餅乾、狗零食。Lucky甚至也有自己專屬的電暖器。種種跡象也顯示飼主並無違法之外，也給予了妥善照顧，因此全案應為誤會一場。
其實，協會調查部門接獲許多物因動物皮膚狀況不佳，而被懷疑為飼主未給醫療。但經協會後續調查發現，有許多僅是老年動物常見的黑色素沉澱或是毛皮狀況退化。因此協會調查部門也建議民眾，下次看到類似狀況除了應先拍照蒐證，也可先仔細觀察以下幾點狀況來評估動物是否具有緊急醫療的必要性：
1. 動物是否對周遭事物完全沒反應，姿勢扭曲僵硬…等等。
--可能代表動物因病不適或是出現劇烈疼痛。
2. 外觀是否有明顯的出血。
3. 是否有紅疹或不規則的脫毛…等等。
4. 動物附近是否有拉稀或是嘔吐物。
5. 是否有一直抓癢或啃咬腳指的現象。
雖然實際健康情形仍須交由獸醫師來做評估，但若有上述情況的話，也代表著動物應有進行進一步醫療的必要性，而若民眾家中也有飼養動物的話，飼主也應隨時注意動物的精神、食慾、外觀、排便、排尿...等等，若有發現異常，也務必要立即將動物帶至動物醫院交由獸醫師進行檢查、診斷或後續治療，以免觸犯動物保護法。
法律小常識
動保法第11條
飼主對於受傷或罹病之動物，應給與必要之醫療。
動物之醫療及手術，應基於動物健康或管理上需要，由獸醫師施行。但因 緊急狀況或基於科學應用之目的或其他經中央主管機關公告之情形者，不在此限。
In February of 2015 a concerned caller contacted the TSPCA Inspectorate to report a suspected case of improper dog care. The caller had spotted a dog chained to a scooter parked near a breakfast shop. The dog was continuously barking and whining. The dog's entire body was covered in filth and looked like a serious case of skin disease. To make matters worse, the dog’s owner had been seen giving the dog dirty water from an air conditioning unit as drinking water.
For obvious reasons, the caller also concluded that the dog must have been kept outdoors for most of his life, and that the owners may have seriously neglected its need for medical attention and care. As a result, the TSPCA was asked for assistance in inspecting the case.
After a thorough by TSPCA Inspectors, we learnt that Lucky the dog was in fact kept indoors on the first floor of his owners’ house. Lucky usually stayed inside the house to accompany his owners - an elderly couple. However, he was occasionally taken outside and chained to a scooter during pleasant weather to receive a fair amount of sunlight and fresh air.
Being seventeen years old, his rough and spotted skin is the result of calluses and dark pigment deposits. The owners mentioned that they had taken Lucky to an animal hospital in the past and a veterinarian had identified the cause of the skin condition. Nonetheless, nothing was found that could pose a risk to Lucky’s health. The TSPCA veterinarian also examined Lucky’s skin condition and further confirmed that these symptoms are the natural result of aging and that a follow-up evaluation would not be required.
In addition to Lucky’s skin condition, he has lost control of his bladder and at times urinates involuntarily. Because of this, his owners keep a large amount of newspapers and cardboard boxes in their home for cleaning up his accidents. After our visit, we were happy to see that Lucky lives in a very hygienic and comfortable environment. The house is not only odor-free, but also stocked with a lot of dog cookies and snacks. Lucky even has his own personal heater for colder winter months!
All the indicators clearly show that Lucky’ owners are aware of the dog’s welfare and have not violated any articles of the Animal Protection Act. Lucky is, in fact, very well taken care of. In the end, the reported information turned out to be a misinterpreted and misunderstood case.
The TSPCA Inspectorate has received a number of phone calls in the past, which have dealt with similar issues to Lucky’s, concerning animals’ poor skin conditions owing to inappropriate care from their rightful owners. Nonetheless, our inspectors have noticed that deposited dark pigment on the skin and fair amounts of fur loss are common occurrences, particularly among older dogs.
In addition to providing pictures of the animals’ welfare to the TSPCA Inspectorate, a set of guidelines is provided for reference to help the public further evaluate and decide whether an animal's health condition requires immediate medical attention:
1. An animal not reacting to the surrounding environment, or appearing curled up and stiff, may be an indication that it is plagued by an illness or is in severe pain.
2. Look for any signs of blood.
3. Look for rashes or irregular patterns of fur shedding.
4. Look for signs of diarrhea or vomit in the nearby area.
5. The animal does not stop scratching itself or chews/gnaws its paws.
Although veterinarians can better evaluate and determine an animal’s health condition, animals that exhibit any of the conditions stated above would need to be seen by a vet for medical treatment. Pet owners must be aware of - among other factors - the animals' energy levels, appetite, physical appearance, feces, and urine. Animals with any signs of abnormalities should be immediately taken to an animal hospital for a veterinarian to examine and evaluate their condition.
Know the laws in Taiwan:
Animal Protection Act Article 11
11.1 The owner shall provide necessary medical care to an injured or sick animal.
11.2 Animals must not be subject to medical treatment or surgery unless it is necessary for the health or management of animals. The treatment or surgery shall be conducted by a veterinarian, unless it is for emergency, scientific application, or
situations declared by the central competent authority.
For obvious reasons, the caller also concluded that the dog must have been kept outdoors for most of his life, and that the owners may have seriously neglected its need for medical attention and care. As a result, the TSPCA was asked for assistance in inspecting the case.
After a thorough by TSPCA Inspectors, we learnt that Lucky the dog was in fact kept indoors on the first floor of his owners’ house. Lucky usually stayed inside the house to accompany his owners - an elderly couple. However, he was occasionally taken outside and chained to a scooter during pleasant weather to receive a fair amount of sunlight and fresh air.
Being seventeen years old, his rough and spotted skin is the result of calluses and dark pigment deposits. The owners mentioned that they had taken Lucky to an animal hospital in the past and a veterinarian had identified the cause of the skin condition. Nonetheless, nothing was found that could pose a risk to Lucky’s health. The TSPCA veterinarian also examined Lucky’s skin condition and further confirmed that these symptoms are the natural result of aging and that a follow-up evaluation would not be required.
In addition to Lucky’s skin condition, he has lost control of his bladder and at times urinates involuntarily. Because of this, his owners keep a large amount of newspapers and cardboard boxes in their home for cleaning up his accidents. After our visit, we were happy to see that Lucky lives in a very hygienic and comfortable environment. The house is not only odor-free, but also stocked with a lot of dog cookies and snacks. Lucky even has his own personal heater for colder winter months!
All the indicators clearly show that Lucky’ owners are aware of the dog’s welfare and have not violated any articles of the Animal Protection Act. Lucky is, in fact, very well taken care of. In the end, the reported information turned out to be a misinterpreted and misunderstood case.
The TSPCA Inspectorate has received a number of phone calls in the past, which have dealt with similar issues to Lucky’s, concerning animals’ poor skin conditions owing to inappropriate care from their rightful owners. Nonetheless, our inspectors have noticed that deposited dark pigment on the skin and fair amounts of fur loss are common occurrences, particularly among older dogs.
In addition to providing pictures of the animals’ welfare to the TSPCA Inspectorate, a set of guidelines is provided for reference to help the public further evaluate and decide whether an animal's health condition requires immediate medical attention:
1. An animal not reacting to the surrounding environment, or appearing curled up and stiff, may be an indication that it is plagued by an illness or is in severe pain.
2. Look for any signs of blood.
3. Look for rashes or irregular patterns of fur shedding.
4. Look for signs of diarrhea or vomit in the nearby area.
5. The animal does not stop scratching itself or chews/gnaws its paws.
Although veterinarians can better evaluate and determine an animal’s health condition, animals that exhibit any of the conditions stated above would need to be seen by a vet for medical treatment. Pet owners must be aware of - among other factors - the animals' energy levels, appetite, physical appearance, feces, and urine. Animals with any signs of abnormalities should be immediately taken to an animal hospital for a veterinarian to examine and evaluate their condition.
Know the laws in Taiwan:
Animal Protection Act Article 11
11.1 The owner shall provide necessary medical care to an injured or sick animal.
11.2 Animals must not be subject to medical treatment or surgery unless it is necessary for the health or management of animals. The treatment or surgery shall be conducted by a veterinarian, unless it is for emergency, scientific application, or
situations declared by the central competent authority.
