Taiwan's Hualien County fire department is trying to shut down claims that a search-and-rescue dog was beaten to death, but its evidence has only deepened public suspicion.

• The department released photos of the dog Wilson's body and a vet's death certificate, saying the death was an accident, not abuse.
• People online compared the photos to older pictures and say the white fur around the dog's muzzle is missing and the markings sit in the wrong place — some think it is a different dog or an AI-altered image.
• The firefighter who first raised the alarm publicly agreed, saying the two photos show two different dogs.
• The death certificate drew more anger because the clinic's name was blacked out and the cause was given in four words: "accidental death."
• Critics are also questioning the story itself — an unwatched solo training session, a fall from the third floor past a safety net, no witnesses, and a rushed private cremation.

Outlook: Pressure is building for an independent investigation, and the county government is threatening legal action against people spreading what it calls rumors.