"Detective! Night Scoop" (ABC TV, Friday 11:17 PM) is a popular variety show in which "detectives" tackle viewers' unexpected requests and worries. On January 23rd, detective Kanpei Hazama investigated "The Chihuahua that never barks!?" Special Director Yu Sawabe, Assistant Director Takanori Takeyama, and Secretary Saori Masuda also appeared.
The request came from a 47-year-old woman in Kyoto Prefecture. She has a three-year-old male Chihuahua named Coco. Since getting him, Coco has never barked like a dog, making sounds like "woof," "bow," or "meow." Her nine-year-old daughter also sees other dogs and longs to hear Coco's voice. She asked the woman to please let her hear Coco's barks.
When Kanpei meets Detective Koko, she is wary but doesn't make any noise. When he tries to take her for a walk to refresh herself, she silently refuses. Apparently, she only made a "yippee" sound once in the past when someone stepped on her leg, but until six months ago, she hadn't even shown her sleeping face. Kanpei then tries to make him laugh with his usual jokes, but they fall flat.
They call in a magician, thinking that the cat might make a sound if startled, but it doesn't make a sound even when startled. So they consult a veterinary specialist, but...
