Stray Dogs Attack Tourists Daily on Koh Muk

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: Daily News

 

Growing Stray Dog Problem Threatens Koh Muk Tourism

 

Residents and business owners on Koh Muk, a popular tourist destination in Trang province, have called for urgent government action to tackle a worsening stray dog crisis. The issue has escalated, with reports of tourists being attacked daily, tarnishing the island’s reputation and becoming its top concern.

 

On 3 December, local councillor Somboon Thongwaree confirmed the latest incident involving a tourist, identified as Ms. Angkana, 30, from Sukhothai.

 

She and her Russian husband were visiting the island when she was attacked by a pack of 5-6 dogs while walking near her resort. Ms. Angkana suffered multiple bite wounds and was rushed to Koh Muk's local clinic before being transferred to Kantang Hospital for further treatment.

 

Picture courtesy: Daily News

 

Recounting the ordeal, Ms. Angkana said the attack occurred as she returned from an evening stroll. A single dog barked at her, attracting others, which soon surrounded and attacked her.

Despite her efforts to fend them off with her bag, the dogs inflicted over ten bite wounds across her body. “I’m a dog lover, but this was terrifying,” she said, adding that the aggressive dogs seemed concentrated around the beaches.

 

Somboon Thongwaree revealed that such attacks are frequent, with stray dogs causing problems for locals and tourists for over five years. Packs of aggressive dogs roam the island, particularly around beaches, posing a safety threat.

 

Attempts to address the issue, including sterilisation programmes, have been hindered by limited funding and ineffective implementation.

 

Resort owners like Ms. Patcharin Thongwaree expressed frustration, noting that complaints to authorities have yielded little action. "Tourists frequently comment on the stray dogs, and it's damaging the island’s reputation," she said. Local businesses are especially concerned as Koh Muk enters its high season, attracting an influx of tourists.

 

Residents are urging authorities to relocate stray dogs off the island to restore safety and protect its tourism-dependent economy. Until then, locals and tourists alike remain at risk of further attacks, reported Daily News.

 

 

-- 2024-12-04

 

 

[lordgrinz]

Time to cull them, enough is enough.

[grain]

6 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

Time to cull them, enough is enough.

All over the country they need culling. In some areas it's ridiculous. On average a bitch is on heat 2 or 3 times a year, and the average litter size is 5-6 pups. 

[blaze master]

13 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

Time to cull them, enough is enough.

 

The do gooders will be along soon to tell you how bla bla bla. 

[lordgrinz]

2 minutes ago, blaze master said:

 

The do gooders will be along soon to tell you how bla bla bla. 

 

More humane to cull them, than to let them roam uncared for all their lives. 

[blaze master]

1 minute ago, lordgrinz said:

 

More humane to cull them, than to let them roam uncared for all their lives. 

 

I fully agree. They spread disease and are a public safety concern.

[proton]

The doggy worshipers will always claim culling does not work as other dogs will just more in to replace the dead ones, so cull them as well, get the army in on the job. Soi Dog foundation etc has proven to only slightly keep the population growth down and neutered dogs can still attack. It's just dogs Thais are sentimental about and we know why by cannot say. They are not going to do anything unless a mass rabies outbreak happens.

[watchcat]

19 minutes ago, blaze master said:

The do gooders will be along soon to tell you how bla bla bla.

 

Well I'm not a do gooder but I agree , the situation is out of control and I think this has to do with "religion" and many of the temples willingly take the donation of a dog stray or not, the owners kids wants a cute looking puppy, and then get bored with it when they realize that dogs can't go to the toilet by themselves so the kid ahave to go out with the puppy, rain or shine. several temples has a big pack of stray dogs 30-40 and they're roaming the streets evil dogs they are. So  I think the monks should take their resposibility to refuse all "dog donations"

[blaze master]

3 minutes ago, watchcat said:

 

Well I'm not a do gooder but I agree , the situation is out of control and I think this has to do with "religion" and many of the temples willingly take the donation of a dog stray or not, the owners kids wants a cute looking puppy, and then get bored with it when they realize that dogs can't go to the toilet by themselves so the kid ahave to go out with the puppy, rain or shine. several temples has a big pack of stray dogs 30-40 and they're roaming the streets evil dogs they are. So  I think the monks should take their resposibility to refuse all "dog donations"

 

The monks can't even be responsible for themselves. 

[watchcat]

2 minutes ago, blaze master said:

 

The monks can't even be responsible for themselves. 

 Ha. I understand.

[edwinchester]

"Residents are urging authorities to relocate stray dogs off the island...."

 

A typical make it somebody else's problem response rather than tackle the problem at source and cull the packs of wild dogs.

[Classic Ray]

The problem would be easily solved if the responsible authorities got off their a@&ses and dealt with it.

 

The irrational attitude of not culling them is just an excuse for inaction, supported by pseudo religion.

 

Have to wait for Poo Yai Baan’s relatives to be bitten then see how quickly something gets done.

[Mad Mustang]

Sabai Sabai. Maybe in another 10 years time. Thailand 😂😂😂

[arick]

To uncut females in my village have produced 60 puppies over the last 5 years

[spidermike007]

This is a terrible lack of responsibility on the part of the local authorities. 

 

If you must, carry pepper spray, or a can of insect spray. Nearly all creatures hate insect spray, as they cannot handle the smell. A long strong bamboo staff also helps. If nothing else works, culling is a good practice. I do not want a lecture about animal cruelty. . Most soi dogs are a nuisance. Most are mangy, some are disease ridden, many are hungry, tired, and lead terrible lives of desperation. Some attack people, some terrorize neighborhoods. Many harass the domestic dogs, and cause them to bark all night long, like in my neighborhood. Nobody wants to do anything about it. Culling is the answer. If they found a budget for it, they could do it Western style. Round up the dogs, clean them up, vaccinate them, and put them up for adoption. The ones who are not adopted after 60 days are simply put down. Nothing cruel about it. Not doing something like this, is both cruel to the dogs and to the neighborhoods they infest.

 

The average dog bite cost alot money. A series of rabies shots, etc. And that is assuming someone was not hurt badly, like a small child. So, we should prioritize the health of mangy, miserable soi dogs over the well being of the human population?

[Reddavy]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy: Daily News

 

Growing Stray Dog Problem Threatens Koh Muk Tourism

 

Residents and business owners on Koh Muk, a popular tourist destination in Trang province, have called for urgent government action to tackle a worsening stray dog crisis. The issue has escalated, with reports of tourists being attacked daily, tarnishing the island’s reputation and becoming its top concern.

 

On 3 December, local councillor Somboon Thongwaree confirmed the latest incident involving a tourist, identified as Ms. Angkana, 30, from Sukhothai.

 

She and her Russian husband were visiting the island when she was attacked by a pack of 5-6 dogs while walking near her resort. Ms. Angkana suffered multiple bite wounds and was rushed to Koh Muk's local clinic before being transferred to Kantang Hospital for further treatment.

 

Picture courtesy: Daily News

 

Recounting the ordeal, Ms. Angkana said the attack occurred as she returned from an evening stroll. A single dog barked at her, attracting others, which soon surrounded and attacked her.

Despite her efforts to fend them off with her bag, the dogs inflicted over ten bite wounds across her body. “I’m a dog lover, but this was terrifying,” she said, adding that the aggressive dogs seemed concentrated around the beaches.

 

Somboon Thongwaree revealed that such attacks are frequent, with stray dogs causing problems for locals and tourists for over five years. Packs of aggressive dogs roam the island, particularly around beaches, posing a safety threat.

 

Attempts to address the issue, including sterilisation programmes, have been hindered by limited funding and ineffective implementation.

 

Resort owners like Ms. Patcharin Thongwaree expressed frustration, noting that complaints to authorities have yielded little action. "Tourists frequently comment on the stray dogs, and it's damaging the island’s reputation," she said. Local businesses are especially concerned as Koh Muk enters its high season, attracting an influx of tourists.

 

Residents are urging authorities to relocate stray dogs off the island to restore safety and protect its tourism-dependent economy. Until then, locals and tourists alike remain at risk of further attacks, reported Daily News.

 

 

-- 2024-12-04

 

 

It’s a simple answer. Just don’t go there then the locals will take action very quickly when no more tourist money is coming. See how quickly the dogs start to go missing 🤷🏼

[twizzian]

Sterilization doesn’t stop them continue biting or reduce aggressive packs.

I see only one method

[jas007]

It's not always just stray dogs.

 

One time, I was walking down the boardwalk on Jomtien Beech along an area where they had a lot of umbrellas set up for tourists, which is pretty much all of it.  Anyway, I was walking along as usual one day and an angry pit bull came at me from the beach. He didn't seem happy.  The owner was there and fortunately happened to be watching. He yelled "no" and the dog actually stopped.  I was lucky.  

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Residents and business owners on Koh Muk, a popular tourist destination in Trang province, have called for urgent government action to tackle a worsening stray dog crisis. The issue has escalated, with reports of tourists being attacked daily, tarnishing the island’s reputation and becoming its top concern.

Just another protected species... 

[terryofcrete]

A friend left my place last night in Pattaya and was bitten en route home . Pattaya City Hospital ... 3000 baht for care and injections ... send the bill to the dog ! 

[cheerz]

Gray pill 100% works, controls these dogs no problem

[wensiensheng]

Why don’t the locals do something? Why does it have to be the government. Might be a long time waiting for action on that front. Unless netizens get outraged by a viral video. If that happens action will be initiated immediately 

[wensiensheng]

25 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

This is a terrible lack of responsibility on the part of the local authorities. 

 

If you must, carry pepper spray, or a can of insect spray. Nearly all creatures hate insect spray, as they cannot handle the smell. A long strong bamboo staff also helps. If nothing else works, culling is a good practice. I do not want a lecture about animal cruelty. . Most soi dogs are a nuisance. Most are mangy, some are disease ridden, many are hungry, tired, and lead terrible lives of desperation. Some attack people, some terrorize neighborhoods. Many harass the domestic dogs, and cause them to bark all night long, like in my neighborhood. Nobody wants to do anything about it. Culling is the answer. If they found a budget for it, they could do it Western style. Round up the dogs, clean them up, vaccinate them, and put them up for adoption. The ones who are not adopted after 60 days are simply put down. Nothing cruel about it. Not doing something like this, is both cruel to the dogs and to the neighborhoods they infest.

 

The average dog bite cost alot money. A series of rabies shots, etc. And that is assuming someone was not hurt badly, like a small child. So, we should prioritize the health of mangy, miserable soi dogs over the well being of the human population?

Agreed. For a lot of Soi dogs being put down is a release from a life of suffering and disease. Some of the dogs that I see in Isaan villages are in a terrible state.

[quake]

Local government used to deal with this problem.

many moons ago.

Then something changed. 

[Baba Naba]

Solution: Free Chinese Buffet!

 

Or you could always take them across the border to Cambodia and feed the poor where they LOVE their dog! 😋 

Edited 7 hours ago by Baba Naba

[bendejo]

Is there some sort of religious/spiritual thing to it, like that dogs are people punished by being re-born as dogs?

 

[Baba Naba]

6 minutes ago, bendejo said:

Is there some sort of religious/spiritual thing to it, like that dogs are people punished by being re-born as dogs?

 

It is the Buddhist belief of not neutering or euthanizing any animals...

[parallelman]

for the last week or so both day and night the dogs have yapping away on the private land adjacent to my bedroom at the rear. One particular dog has a distinctive 'rap rap rap' and belongs to the owner who lives on the land. I counted seven dogs one afternoon and I didn't see the owner once. Probably several pups will now be born to increase the number of strays.

The lane in which I live has seen many attacks on children and motorbike riders by these dogs which still roam day and night. Officials must know because of the children having to spend time in hospital yet nothing has been done.

Edited 7 hours ago by parallelman

[proton]

4 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

Well I'm not a do gooder but I agree , the situation is out of control and I think this has to do with "religion" and many of the temples willingly take the donation of a dog stray or not, the owners kids wants a cute looking puppy, and then get bored with it when they realize that dogs can't go to the toilet by themselves so the kid ahave to go out with the puppy, rain or shine. several temples has a big pack of stray dogs 30-40 and they're roaming the streets evil dogs they are. So  I think the monks should take their resposibility to refuse all "dog donations"

 

Our local temple has signs saying anyone dumping dogs there will be fined 40k baht, even the monks have had enough of these pests. Actually the soppy attitude towards soi dogs has little to do with religion, it's another influence.

[proton]

47 minutes ago, Baba Naba said:

It is the Buddhist belief of not neutering or euthanizing any animals...

 

Does not stop them abusing animals, or scoffing them down though does it