Taoyuan: The Taoyuan City government has announced plans to dispatch animal welfare officials to a junior college following the circulation of a social media video allegedly showing a teacher using a live ferret to clean a chalkboard.
According to Focus Taiwan, a one-second Instagram Reel, posted by a student at Hsin Sheng Junior College of Medical Care and Management, depicted what seemed to be a teacher employing a squirming white ferret to erase chalk from a board. The video was initially posted on a public Instagram account managed by the school but was subsequently removed after accusations of animal abuse surfaced.
In response, the school released a statement indicating that it had yet to communicate with the part-time teacher featured in the video. The school expressed skepticism regarding any mistreatment of the ferret, citing the presence of its owner and numerous students at the scene. However, school authorities intend to investigate the matter and reiterate to both students and teachers the importance of not bringing pets to class and treating them with care.
Taoyuan Animal Welfare Office Commissioner Wang Te-chi stated that officials would visit the school on Monday to engage with the teacher and assess the ferret's condition. Wang highlighted that Taiwan's Animal Protection Act obligates pet owners to shield their animals from harassment, abuse, and harm. Violations resulting in an animal's death can lead to penalties of up to two years in prison and fines ranging from NT$200,000 (US$6,023) to NT$2 million.
Wang further elaborated to reporters that the school confirmed the ferret was brought to class by its owner, who allowed the part-time math instructor to hold it. The video was subsequently shared on the Instagram account associated with the school's nursing program. While the teacher's actions appeared improper, Wang noted the possibility that the issue might stem from the video's recording angle.