CHIANG MAI — The Region 5 Appeals Court has sentenced the defendant to 16 months in prison without parole for causing the death of Tia Mor Chor (meaning Tia CMU), a beloved community dog at Chiang Mai University (CMU).
The case, which concluded a nearly five-year legal battle, found Police Lance Corporal Parinya guilty of nighttime theft using a vehicle and animal cruelty. The verdict combines the original animal cruelty charges from the lower court’s July 25, 2023 ruling with additional theft charges.
According to the court documents posted by the “Tia Mor Chor” Facebook page, the defendant received:
- 4 months imprisonment for animal cruelty (reduced from 6 months due to useful testimony)
- 12 months imprisonment for theft using a vehicle (reduced from 18 months)
The court also ordered the defendant to pay 100,000 baht in damages to Chiang Mai University, citing Tia’s significant contributions to the community and his role as a model for community dog care.
Tia Mor Chor, originally named “Chang,” became a fixture at CMU’s Faculty of Science in 2014 after regularly wandering there from his original home near Jed Yod area, approximately 5 kilometers away. His previous owners eventually allowed him to stay at the university, where he became deeply integrated into campus life, regularly participating in student activities including freshman orientations and hill runs.
The incident occurred on May 3, 2020, when Tia disappeared. After days of searching by students, public volunteers, and Watch Dog Thailand, his body was found in an abandoned lot behind Rajamangala University of Technology Chiang Mai on May 7, 2020. The identity was confirmed through microchip verification.
Investigation revealed that Police Lance Corporal Parinya, a university shuttle driver, had taken Tia on his motorcycle at 8:34 p.m. He later confessed to removing the dog from campus, claiming Tia jumped off the motorcycle and was run over. Fearing professional consequences, he disposed of the body in the abandoned lot.
This case is considered a landmark ruling for Thailand’s Prevention of Animal Cruelty and Animal Welfare Provision Act (2014), which carries maximum penalties of two years imprisonment and/or a 40,000 baht fine for animal cruelty. The verdict sets a significant precedent for protecting community animals without clear ownership status.
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