PATTAYA — Pattaya city officials inspected dogs in Naklua Soi after receiving complaints that over ten dogs had their mouths taped shut, potentially constituting animal cruelty. Upon investigation, it was found that this was not the case.
On September 9, officials from the Complaint Department of Pattaya City Hall and veterinarians from the Public Health and Environment Office of Pattaya City inspected dogs in Naklua Soi 12, Pattaya, Chonburi Province. This followed social media images and messages claiming that dogs’ mouths were taped shut, which led to widespread sharing and comments from animal lovers expressing concern for the dogs.
Officials met with Ms. Kanyarat, 38, and her son. They led the officials to verify the facts about the dogs appearing in social media images, asserting that it wasn’t animal cruelty but a measure to prevent the dogs from barking and causing problems for locals and tourists.
Ms. Kanyarat explained that these dogs were originally collected and bred by foreigners who then left the country. Her father continued to care for them, and as she raised them, she grew to love them and felt obligated to look after them. She believed her method wasn’t cruel, as it allowed both dogs and humans to coexist peacefully while preventing any negative impacts on others.
She mentioned that the area often has foreign tourists walking by, and the dogs, unable to distinguish between people, would bark at them. Some dogs also chase children playing in the area. Therefore, she devised mouth covers for them at night, made from old, loose school socks with the ends cut off, slipped over their mouths and tied at the neck.
They stated that they put the socks on the dogs’ mouths around 10:00 p.m. and remove them around 7:00 a.m. The dogs eat before the socks are put on, and can still eat normally even with the socks on. She uses socks instead of muzzles because muzzles still allow the dogs to bark all night.
Dr. Apichaya Thurangarn, a veterinary expert from Pattaya City, told reporters that upon inspection, they found the dog caretakers to be socially responsible. The use of socks might be misunderstood, making people think the dogs can’t eat or drink, but the on-site inspection showed that these dogs can eat and drink normally.
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