The Fukushima prefectural government and Japan's Environment Ministry are trying to capture hundreds of pet dogs believed to be living feral in the no-entry zone around the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, but their efforts are being frustrated by the animals themselves.
Before the disaster, there were about 5,800 registered dogs in the area that became the no-entry zone, which stretches over a 12.4-mile radius from the plant.
From May 10 to the end of August, the prefectural government captured a total of 323 pets, mainly dogs, that were left leashed at empty houses. The government began trying to capture loose dogs on Sept. 5 and has managed to capture three, but none have been caught in its traps baited with food.
Even after accounting for dogs that were captured by volunteers and those that died in the tsunami or from starvation, hundreds of dogs are believed to still be living within the zone.
"No dogs in the traps today either," a prefectural government official said after checking several traps within the no-entry zone.
Six months have passed since the March 11 disaster at the nuclear power plant, and young dogs born after their parents' owners evacuated are running loose in the zone.
"If these puppies become parents, their offspring will be wild dogs with no experience with people," the official said. "We want to catch these puppies before they grow up."
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2016265348_nucleardogs21.html
