Monk offers haven after street dogs savage child

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Monk offers haven after street dogs savage child

By Jan McGirk in Bangkok

08 May 2003

The Independent

 

Phra Phayom Kalayano's temple is going to the dogs. Within six months,

the monk expects to build a canine condominium that will house a

thousand Bangkok strays.

 

The short-haired soi (street) dogs that wander at will through Bangkok's

alleys will take daily walks in a purpose-built garden. And the monks

will invite prospective pet owners to select their favourite, for a

token donation.

 

Good Buddhists feed roaming creaturesand there is a cultural reluctance

to neuter the dogs, so large packs lounge around public buildings or

take shade in city parks.

 

But over the five-day Songkran holiday last month, some of the dogs grew

exceedingly hungry. Nearly 30 mutts mauled Ton Attama, 11, who was

walking past Pathumwan Technological Institute. The boy was found

unconscious, face down in blood, and is still in hospital.

 

Donations to Wat Suan Kaew, the stray dog temple, have increased since

reports that strays were being beaten and driven away by people who had

heard about the boy's horrendous injuries.

 

Last year, after King Bhumibol Adulyadej adopted a street puppy, Thais

snapped up polo shirts embroidered with the boxer-like profile and the

King even wrote a book on the dog's antics. And, at the monarch's

behest, a government programme has been set up to train the brightest

street dogs to help police look for drugs.

 

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Dave Neale

Animals Asia Foundation

 

Find out more about the historic China Bear Rescue by visiting the

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