Bangkok: Officials took "Giant," a pit bull dog, for a health check at an animal hospital before returning it to its original owner in Suphan Buri province for continued care. Meanwhile, grieving relatives received the body of the 70-year-old female second victim for religious ceremonies at Wat Bueng Thonglang.
According to Thai News Agency, environmental and sanitation officers from Bueng Kum District and staff from the Watchdog Thailand Foundation coordinated with Cherry's pet transportation service to bring a van to pick up Giant, a Pitbull dog that had fatally bitten its owner, and transport him to an animal hospital. As soon as the officers arrived at the house, Giant was visibly cheerful. When the officers instructed him to sit and wait, Giant immediately complied. The officers then put a muzzle on him and led him into the van.
Ms. Khantiya Kla-han, a pet transport employee, said she has been working with Giant for over 5 years, since Giant came to live in this house. Every time the homeowner needs to take Giant to the vet, they always call on her service. She said she has never seen Giant behave aggressively before. He might bark and be irritable sometimes, but she's always been able to handle him, and there has never been any violence. The cause might be the hot weather, which made Giant irritable. Throughout the day, Giant was seen circling only around the front of the house, with no friends to play with. Dogs, like people, can become lonely or depressed if they don't get to talk to or play with someone.
When asked by reporters whether the elderly homeowner was taking good care of Giant, Ms. Khantiya confirmed that the aunt had been very attentive to Giant, who was suffering from cancer. She initially thought Giant might not live long if it weren't for the excellent care the aunt provided, which has extended his life to this point. Initially, Giant will be taken for a veterinary checkup at an animal hospital. Afterward, they will contact experts in handling dangerous animals before returning him to his original owner in Suphan Buri to assess Giant's condition and determine the necessary care to prevent a third incident from happening again.
Regarding the case, Police Lieutenant Colonel Anusorn Krittiyachoti, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation at Lat Phrao Police Station, stated that the animal neglect case is considered closed because the dog owner has passed away. Therefore, prosecution for animal neglect cannot proceed. He also mentioned that there have been several cases in the past where Pitbulls have bitten their owners, including neighbors. Therefore, anyone considering owning a Pitbull should thoroughly research its temperament. These dogs were bred for hunting and attacking, not as pets. They have high energy levels, and keeping them confined indoors or in a room with limited space will inevitably cause stress. Owners must provide activities that allow these animals to expend their energy. If you don't have the time or the ability to properly care for them, it's better not to own one. Owners of this breed must closely monitor their animals, observing their behavior for signs of stress or irritability through body language. If they ar e irritable, they will run around restlessly or bark unusually frequently. Owners should be vigilant and seek professional care. He reiterated that those considering owning a Pitbull should not get one if they are not ready.
Relatives of the deceased have contacted the Forensic Medicine Institute at Police Hospital to collect the body and declined to give interviews, stating they are still grieving. Religious ceremonies will be held at Wat Bueng Thonglang, with three nights of funeral prayers followed by cremation on Sunday, September 13th. Preliminary autopsy results indicate severe injuries to the face, neck, and both arms, particularly deep bite wounds on the face that reached and fractured the bone.