Hualien man fined after his ostrich runs wild on Provincial Highway 9

Taipei, Dec. 22 (CNA) Police in Hualien's Yuli Township have cited a man for traffic violations Monday after his pet ostrich escaped its enclosure and was spotted running among motorists on Provincial Highway 9.

In a press statement, the Hualien Police Bureau's Yuli Precinct said one of its officers was conducting an "online patrol" Monday morning, when the officer came across photos of the loose ostrich on social media.

Upon investigating, officers tracked down the owner, surnamed Huang (黃), who said he usually kept the bird in an enclosure in Dayu Village, just north of central Yuli.

On Monday morning, the ostrich was apparently frightened by something, and took off running down the highway, running a red light and continuing south to a factory near Yuli Senior High School (about 2.5 kilometers away), where Huang was called to come retrieve it, police said.

After questioning Huang, police issued him a citation under Article 84 of the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, which penalizes the owners of pets, poultry or livestock that impede traffic.

The law sets a fine of NT$300 (US$9.51) to NT$600 for violators.

The north-south Provincial Highway 9 passes through Yuli Township as part of an inland route linking Hualien and Taitung.