AI used to catch stray dogs in south Taiwan

台灣南部使用人工智慧（AI）捕捉流浪狗

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Chiayi County has conducted a one-week pilot test using AI for animal control at a solar power farm in Yizhu Township, capturing 80% of stray dogs in the area.

The late-April program has been deemed a resounding success using thermal imaging from drones and automated cages to trap stray dogs. Soon, the technology will be deployed to other areas across Taiwan to manage stray cats and dogs, per CNA.

Lin Pei-ru (林珮如), director of the Livestock Disease Control Center of Chiayi County, said the program began last year in conjunction with Chen Jing-ru (陳靜茹), an assistant professor at the National Yunlin University of Science and Technology Department of Electrical Engineering. The partnership developed a "ground-to-air dog-catching system," with real-time identification allowing for precise capture.

Lin said the number of stray dogs at a solar farm had dramatically increased in recent months, even outnumbering residents in the area, leaving many feeling unsafe while venturing for a walk outdoors. The AI pilot captures, sterilizes, medically treats, and places stray dogs.

According to Lin, the team identified hotspots of stray dog activity through drone thermal imaging and AI image analysis. Based on this data, giant dog-catching fences were erected, with professional dog catchers overseeing a humane stray animal management solution.

In addition to capturing stray dogs, Lin says AI is being deployed to discourage the public from feeding stray animals or abandoning animal. This program includes an AI-based motor vehicle license plate recognition system to record and process breaches of the Animal Protection Act.

Lin said pet abandonment has become a bigger problem since the government implemented a "zero-culling" policy, leading to overcrowding at public animal shelters. Chiayi County established three distinct teams: the animal protection control team, the veterinary medical team, and the animal protection inspector team.

Last year, the county caught 2,827 dogs, ranking first amongst all municipalities in Taiwan. In addition, more than 120 cases have resulted in fines, with a fine amount so far of nearly NT$4 million (US$136,000).