Taiwan military will punish soldiers who cruelly tortured and killed dog

The Taiwanese military's image has been marred after a gruesome video of three of its marines torturing and killing a dog on base was leaked on Monday.

During an emergency press conference held the same evening the video was released, navy command headquarters commander Admiral Huang Shu-kuang issued an apology while fully accepting responsibility for the incident.

Huang, who claims to be an animal-lover himself, said that he was "deeply ashamed" and condemned the horrendous act.

He went on to assure the media that all three soldiers, who admitted guilt, will be duly punished according to the country's Animal Protection Act.

According to Taipei Times, the video came to light when it was sent to a local animal welfare group.

In the 80-second video, a cream-coloured dog named Xiaobai could be seen hanging in mid-air with a chain around its neck. The struggling pup was gasping for air during the whole ordeal, while laughter could be heard from the soldiers out of frame.

Xiaobai was dead within 40 seconds, and a man's voice is heard saying: "Xiaobai, don't be a stupid dog in your next life."

Wang Jin-chun, the director of the Kaohsiung Concern Stray Animal Association, told reporters that Xiaobai's killing took place last Friday and that the three men responsible were marines stationed at the Airport Defense Group in Kaohsiung.

Wang also said that Chen You-tsa, Chang Feng-yi and Hu Chia-wei admitted to hitting Xiaobai with wooden sticks before dangling the dog over the cliff.

Xiaobai was a stray at the base and the trio were tasked by one of their supervisors to care for it.

Taiwan's newly elected president Tsai Ing-wen and the country's defence minister Feng Shih-kuan have condemned the cruel act.

Feng has also ordered an education programme to be drafted for military personnel to comply with animal protection laws.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.