LOPBURI — A shocking incident has occurred once again, where American Bully dogs have fatally attacked a person, within a span of one month. The latest incident is even more heartbreaking, as a member of the family that owned the dogs became the victim.
A 18-year-old man was mauled to death by two American Bully dogs left at his home in Lopburi Province by his 23-year-old police brother, Apisit, who left for work in Bangkok on Friday night.
The incident occurred while only the victim and the dogs were at home and the attack was captured on a CCTV camera showing the victim trying to flee downstairs to a bedroom but failed to close the door in time.
His father later found the son inside the room with the two dogs, both his ears missing and with many other serious wounds and blood all over. The dogs were locked up as of Saturday with the owner saying the two are normally gentle.
Apisit, the owner of the American Bully dogs, is doubly saddened after being attacked on social media with comments like ‘You brought dogs to kill your brother.’ He pleads for understanding in light of his family’s immense loss. His father is severely stressed, his mother fainted and is inconsolable. He himself has to face the cruelty of people who show no mercy or sympathy for his family.
He appeals through the media for understanding of his family’s mental state after losing a loved one irretrievably.
On September 1, the deceased’s family held a funeral at Wat Luang Thai Talat in Mueang Lopburi District, in deep sorrow. The mother, in particular, fainted and collapsed to the ground, requiring first aid from relatives as officials brought her son’s body to the hall. The funeral chanting will be held from today, with cremation scheduled for September 5.
Apisit said tearfully that he feels immense pity for his younger brother who was fatally attacked by his dogs. It’s difficult for him to come to terms with it. He recounted that at the time of the incident, his father was at work and his mother had gone to see a doctor. He himself was on night shift and didn’t return home in the evening as usual.
He had left the three American Bullies with his younger brother. He suspects that Fino and Tesla became stressed because he didn’t come home in the evening as usual. It’s possible that his brother might have played with them incorrectly or inappropriately.
The accumulated stress from not seeing Apisit, combined with this, might have triggered their aggression. Once they started biting and smelled blood, they became uncontrollable and wouldn’t listen to commands to stop.
Tank Gas, aged 4, the mother of the two American Bullies, was injured on her leg. Apisit thinks this was because she tried to help his brother but couldn’t withstand the strength of her two offspring and had to retreat. Now, ‘Tank Gas’ has already been taken in by a volunteer.
For the other two dogs, he will only choose fosters who are knowledgeable in caring for American Bully dogs. The man said the dogs now remind him and his family of the tragic incident so he can’t keep them.
“I implore the media not to further wound my family,’ Apisit said. ‘Everyone’s mental state is terrible right now, and we’re having to deal with harsh accusations from ill-intentioned people that are unbearable. Please, I beg the media not to present any more stories about me and my family,” said Apisit.
On July 26, 2024, three American Bully dogs fatally attacked a 70-year-old man on the street in front of a house in Phu Wiang District, Khon Kaen Province on the night of July 24. In that case, the owner also gave them away for free to those willing to adopt them.
According to Caroline Coile, the author of the Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds, American Bully, breed of muscular companion dog created in the United States in the 1980s and ’90s. With proper training and care, it can often be an excellent family dog. However, because of its strength and potential for aggression, this powerful breed has been banned or restricted in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.
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Related story: American Bully dogs that fatally attacked a 70-year-old man
