acepredator

Sorry, but what best selling book are you referring to?

Wow!!! Over half a century without meat. Congratulations. Your longevity is a testament to the benefits one can experience being meat free. And, yes, the hypocrisy of animal lovers who eat meat is appalling. I've known a significant number of animal lovers in my life, but only a few vegetarians and even fewer vegans. Sad to say, but the vast majority of people in the world will be eating meat until they draw their last breaths.

Absolutely true. Unfortunately, as you said, the major changes that need to be made are not likely to ever happen here. As a result, the soi dogs and the people affected by them will continue to suffer. Very sad situation.

Yes, maybe I'm exactly as you described. In any event, I'm heading out, so have a wonderful evening.

Thanks for the excellent suggestion. I'll be heading out soon (if the rain has finally stopped) to donate to the staff at MY local bar.

Really? After living in Chiang Mai for 17 years I have no idea what Thailand is? I understand that the vast majority of stray dogs have no owners, but it's entirely possible that some might. I have seen dogs on the streets wearing collars that might have some kind of identifying information. It wouldn't hurt to try to locate owners, if possible. Of course it would be a long shot. If no owners can be found, then the dogs should be euthanized, as I've stated in several previous posts. Sorry, but I don't see the humor in this topic, so why are you rolling on the ground laughing?

Really? Those of us who donate to help animals are a sad bunch? Because we think that animals are important, as are people? If you donate to causes that help children, that's commendable. Of course, you should donate to charities that help with issues that you believe in. I also have the right to donate to the charities that I believe in. If you don't understand that, then you are the sad one.

Do you not understand that I already agreed with you in a previous post that STRAY DOGS ARE PESTS? Why not try reading what I previously posted? In three previous posts, I said that the problem of stray dogs should be dealt with by LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. They should remove the PESTS from the streets and try to find their owners. If none can be found they should euthanize them in the most humane way possible, which would not involve hollow point .22 bullets. Please take the time to read my previous posts before engaging in more maniacal rantings.

Yes, it is tragic that 100 billion animals, including cows and pigs, are butchered every year to contribute to the unhealthy lifestyle of people who consume meat. As for me, I gave up eating meat about 30 years ago. If you are concerned about the lives of cows and pigs, then I assume you also do not eat them. Other than giving up meat, I can think of no other way to help cows and pigs. Billions will continue to die to feed the insatiable desire people have for meat, to the detriment of the people, the animals, and the planet Earth itself.

Yes, correct. Foreigners cannot own land in Thailand. There are already several animal shelters that exist. You could help solve the problem by donating money to help those shelters remain in operation, that is if you have any money left after donating to help children.

Yes, I agree. They are pests, and the problem should be dealt with. But, as I mentioned in two previous posts, the solution to the problem lies with local governments. Every government entity, no matter how small, should create an animal control department whose job is to remove strays from the streets. If no owner can be located, then the dogs must be euthanized in a humane way. Complaining about the problem does not offer a solution. Also, your suggestion of keeping soi dogs in a condo is absurd and ludicrous. Please try to get a grip on reality while there is still time.

Yes, I agree 100%. Stray dogs are a huge problem in Thailand. But, as I said in a previous post, the problem does not lie with the dogs or their owners. The problem is with local governments that do not have any kind of animal control function in place. Every municipality, no matter how small, should have an animal control department staffed by full-time professionals whose job is to take strays off the street. If an owner can be found, then arrange for the dog to be returned and the owner to be warned that he or she must better control the dog in the future. If no owner can be found, then there is no choice but to humanely euthanize the dog. Otherwise, the problem will never be solved.

That's great. There are thousands of charitable organizations that need help. My question is: How much money have you donated to charities that help children? My guess is not one single dollar, pound, euro, or baht. As always, you are the one who is "just talk." At least I have done what I can to help solve a huge problem affecting both animals and people. How about you? What have you done to help solve a problem? Maybe absolutely nothing?

It has nothing to do with being a "do-gooder," and it is not about me. Instead, it's about the belief that animals have just as much right to exist in this world as you and I. Humans do not own the planet Earth, and animals are not our slaves to do with as we please. Unfortunately, the sad reality is that nearly 100 billion animals are brutally murdered each year to provide meat for human consumption, even though the scientific evidence is indisputable that a plant based diet is far healthier than a meat based one. If you dismiss people who show compassion towards animals as "do-gooders," then you have what the Thais refer to as a "black heart." Perhaps there is still time for you to have a change of heart and understand that animals matter just as much as you do. Also, during the last 17 years of riding a motorbike through the perilous streets of Chiang Mai (always wearing a helmet), I have not yet experienced a fatal RTA, involving soi dogs or anything else. I really hate to disappoint you, but I intend to keep my lucky streak going for at least the next several years.

I agree that most people in Thailand, and presumably everywhere else in the world, ignore what signs tell them to do. This is because it is human nature to resist authority. As I said in another post, however, the devotees of the various temples interact continuously with the monks who stay at the temples. These monks have made it clear that they cannot care for unwanted animals. The people who visit the temples understand and respect this sentiment, so that they do not bring animals to the temple. That is why, at least in Chiang Mai, you virtually never see stray dogs roaming around temples anymore. I assume it is generally the same in Pattaya, where it seems likely that the monks lack both the time and the resources to care for animals looking for a place to stay.

Sorry to hear that you and your family members have had problems with dogs, stray or otherwise. In 17 years living in Chiang Mai, neither I nor anyone I've known has had a negative encounter with a dog on the street. Your post seems to contain a substantial degree of hyperbole and exaggeration. I'd like to respectfully suggest that you be careful not to let the exception become the rule. The problem is not with the dogs or their owners, it's with local governments. I was shocked when I learned that there is no Department of Animal Control here in Chiang Mai. Presumably, this is true throughout Thailand. Every municipality should have animal control officers who take dogs off the streets and lock them up. Every attempt should be made to determine if they have owners. If no owners can be found, then those dogs should be mercifully euthanized. This is the only way to control the problem of countless unleashed dogs roaming the streets and sois of Thailand.

This is certainly true. Many of the temples here in Chiang Mai, however, do have such signs. In any event, the people visiting the temples on a regular basis know the mindset of the monks. They communicate with each other continuously. Buddhism is not like Christianity, where church leaders pontificate from the pulpit and have no interaction with the so-called "faithful" at all. The monks have made it clear that they are not equipped to care for stray animals and cannot take them in. The devotees of the temple understand and respect this edict. No signs are necessary.

I live in a small condo, so it would not be feasible for me to take in even one dog, let alone all of them. Over the last few years, however, I have donated money to an animal shelter in Chon Buri called the House of Angels for Stray Animals. This facility provides food and shelter to about 1,900 dogs and 500 to 600 cats. When they have needed money to keep going, I have helped them as much as I could. I also help support Adopt Meow Chiang Mai, a facility that finds homes for homeless cats, especially kittens. What charitable causes, that help either animals or humans, have you supported? It seems abundantly clear that you are the one who is "just talk."

Very interesting and thought provoking post. I'm always concerned about the future of the financial system due to the fact that I have about 80% of my money in mutual funds and annuities. I have been able to ride out the huge drops in the market in both 2008 and 2020, but who knows when the next crash will occur and how devastating it will be and how long until the markets recover. If the consequences of a crash are catastrophic enough, world governments would have to act to bolster financial markets or face a complete meltdown of the global economic system. I'm just hoping that it doesn't happen in my lifetime.

Thanks very much for your help. I'll check into Andovar and see if I can find something suitable.

Well then those are some lucky dogs. Maybe the temples where you live are more compassionate, but in Chiang Mai I rarely see the temple dogs, unlike years past when there were many of them. Also, not all, but a large number of temples do have the signs prominently displayed saying "DON'T BRING YOUR UNWANTED PETS TO US."

Thanks for the information. Actually, I do have some work experience in the legal profession, so maybe it would be a good fit for me. I'll do some checking and see what I can find.

Thanks for your input. Also, I sent you a private message.

Why don't we put you, along with all other animal haters, in the landfill instead. The world would be a slightly kinder place if you were no longer living in it.

The temples have made it abundantly clear that THEY DO NOT WANT TO TAKE CARE OF STRAY DOGS. Every temple has signs in both Thai and English to this effect. Temples are not equipped to handle stray dogs, and they have their own affairs to tend to. The days when temples took in stray animals are over. Please stop perpetuating this false narrative. Someplace must be found for the dogs, but it is definitely not the local temple.