Taoyuan College Teacher Sparks Outrage After Using Live Ferret to Clean Chalkboard – Investigation Underway

📰 In-Depth News Report:

In a bizarre and controversial incident, Taoyuan’s Hsin Sheng Junior College of Medical Care and Management has come under fire after a viral Instagram video showed a teacher allegedly using a live ferret to wipe chalk off a classroom blackboard. The video, only a second long, was enough to spark a wave of online backlash, prompting a swift response from Taoyuan City Government’s Animal Welfare Office and school authorities.

The video was posted by a student to a public Instagram account associated with the school’s nursing program, captioned “freshman life on campus.” It depicted the teacher holding a visibly squirming white ferret and moving it against the chalkboard, as if using it as an eraser. The short clip quickly gained traction before being deleted amid allegations of animal cruelty.

📌 What Happened?

• The teacher in question is a part-time math instructor at the college.
• The ferret reportedly belongs to a student, who brought the pet to class.
• The incident occurred with multiple students present in the room, including the ferret’s owner.
• The school has not yet interviewed the teacher, but claims there was likely no intent to abuse the animal.
• The video was recorded and posted by the ferret’s owner, raising questions about whether the act was premeditated, a prank, or poor judgment.

📢 School and Government Response:

• The college issued a statement saying the act appeared “improper,” but emphasized it might be a misunderstanding of context or angle in the video.
• Nevertheless, the school acknowledged that pets are not permitted in class and stressed the need to treat animals with care and dignity.
• Taoyuan Animal Welfare Office Commissioner Wang Te-chi (王得吉) stated that officials will visit the school on Monday to investigate the incident in person and check on the ferret’s condition.
• Commissioner Wang reminded the public that under Taiwan’s Animal Protection Act, pet owners must ensure their pets are free from harm, harassment, or abuse.

🔍 Legal Implications:

Under Taiwan’s Animal Protection Act:

• Improper treatment of animals can result in fines and penalties.
• If found guilty of causing harm or death, individuals may face up to two years imprisonment and fines ranging from NT$200,000 to NT$2 million (approx. US$6,023 to US$60,234).

🧠 Original Insights & Commentary:

This case illustrates a broader issue around pet ethics in public settings and digital accountability. The normalization of capturing everything on camera—sometimes for humor or attention—can blur the lines between lighthearted behavior and misconduct. Regardless of whether the ferret was harmed, the optics of using a living creature to perform a cleaning task—no matter how momentary—raises serious ethical and educational concerns.

There’s also the question of institutional culture. Why was a pet allowed in class in the first place? Was there a lapse in policy enforcement, or is this a norm that’s been overlooked?

This incident has prompted much-needed discussion around:

• Animal rights awareness in educational institutions.
• The responsibility of educators as role models in handling living beings.
• Social media accountability—the potential consequences of what may seem like “just a joke.”

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