Picture courtesy of Daily News.

 

A 53-year-old man was found dead near his rice field shelter in Udon Thani, with his loyal dog keeping watch over his body. The man is believed to have accidentally shot himself while preparing to shoot a chicken for food.

 

At approximately 09:00 on 17 April, police at Phen Police Station received a report of a suspected shooting death at a field shelter behind Ban Khok Hong village, Moo 3, Khok Klang Subdistrict, Phen District. Investigators, forensic officers, medical personnel from Phen Hospital, and rescue workers rushed to the scene.

 

The body of Mr Sopha Ocharos, 53, was found lying face-down in a pool of blood. A homemade long-barrelled gun lay nearby, with various hunting supplies such as pellets, gunpowder, and tools found in a white cloth bag next to him.

 

Mr Sopha had sustained a fatal gunshot wound to his left temple, with the pellets exiting through the right side of his head. Sitting quietly beside the body was “Gaga”, his faithful brown dog, which had remained beside him since the incident.

 

His wife, Mrs Samruay Pongpal, 53, stated that her husband, who had underlying health conditions including high blood pressure, was a quiet man. He would travel daily to the field to feed Gaga and tend to his free-range chickens. On the morning of his death, he had told her he was going to shoot a chicken for their meal and took his gun along.

 

“When I called him twice and he didn’t answer, I felt something was wrong,” she said. “So I went out to check and found him lying dead by the pond. I rushed to alert the family and called the police. I believe it was an accidental discharge.”

 

Mr Khuan Buranakun, 68, who owns a nearby field, said he heard a single gunshot but didn’t investigate, only to learn later that his neighbour had died. He noted Mr Sopha had recently sold his cattle and often seemed exhausted, possibly due to his diabetes and hypertension.

 

Police believe that after feeding the dog, Mr Sopha crouched by the pond to look for his chickens. As he sat in wait, the loaded gun accidentally discharged, striking him fatally in the head. Authorities confirmed there was no evidence of foul play, no known enemies, and no signs of suicide. The family did not raise any suspicion regarding his death, and his body was released for traditional funeral rites.

 

 

-- 2025-04-17

 

Very sad story and proves the point why I trust our 4 legged friends better than most humans

Bullet gone into head from back while looking chicken?