Picture courtesy of Workpoint.

 

Residents of Khok Tabak village, Chalerm Phra Kiat district, Buriram province, are living in fear after more than 20 dogs and cats were poisoned to death in recent weeks. Locals suspect someone has been deliberately lacing food with poison since July, though the motive remains unclear.

 

Some villagers believe the culprit may be irritated by dogs barking at passing vehicles, while others fear the poisonings could be part of a plan to kill guard animals before carrying out burglaries.

 

Suspicion has grown after residents captured images of a mysterious pickup truck driving through the village the night before several animals were found dead with foam around their mouths. However, no licence plate was visible and there is no clear evidence linking the vehicle to the crime.

 

Even the assistant village headman lost his own dog, and chickens also died after eating scraps suspected of being laced with poison.

 

“If our dogs or cats were causing trouble, the person should have spoken to us. Killing them in this cruel way is unacceptable,” said Mr Udon, the assistant village chief.

 

Many villagers, including elderly residents, are heartbroken. Mrs So-Ing, 72, said she once kept several dogs as companions and for protection, but most have now died. Her most recent dog was poisoned only days ago, while another remains critically ill.

 

“I’ve always shared what little I have, my state welfare allowance and elderly pension, to buy food for my dogs. I never let them go hungry. I don’t know why someone would do this,” she said.

 

Local councillor Mrs Chalao confirmed that reports of poisoned animals have been coming in steadily for two months. Residents have found pieces of fried chicken mixed with toxic substances left along village roads, suggesting the poison was scattered from a moving vehicle.

 

While villagers believe the perpetrator will ultimately face karmic consequences, they are urging authorities to investigate before more pets are lost. In the meantime, locals are organising community patrols to deter further attacks.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Workpoint 2025-08-26

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

Killing them in this cruel way is unacceptable,” said Mr Udon, the assistant village chief.

 

My guess is that he has never been chased by soi dogs.

2 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Some villagers believe the culprit may be irritated by dogs barking at passing vehicles

"dogs barking at passing vehicles"? Packs roaming the streets more likely. As for the cats they may not be target but have simply eaten the poinsened food.

Soon to be followed by the small group that thinks this is somehow normal behavior. In denial of course because those who intentionally poison dogs are mentally ill.............  https://npistanbul.com/en/what-is-the-psychology-of-animal-cruelty........................................That pets are poisoned is not surprising to many, who will point out that many humans have no problem hurting other humans.

The Humane Society of the United States says on its website that a number of studies "in psychology, sociology, and criminology during the last 25 years have demonstrated that violent offenders frequently have childhood and adolescent histories of serious and repeated animal cruelty................from this link...........https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/deliberate-pet-poisonings-could-point-to-psychological-problems-1.735874.

2 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

If our dogs or cats were causing trouble, the person should have spoken to us. Killing them in this cruel way is unacceptable,” said Mr Udon, the assistant village chief.

 

 

Oh right complaining, that always works, not. At least the place will be a lot quieter and safer now. 

2 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

Soon to be followed by the small group that thinks this is somehow normal behavior. In denial of course because those who intentionally poison dogs are mentally ill.............  https://npistanbul.com/en/what-is-the-psychology-of-animal-cruelty........................................That pets are poisoned is not surprising to many, who will point out that many humans have no problem hurting other humans.

The Humane Society of the United States says on its website that a number of studies "in psychology, sociology, and criminology during the last 25 years have demonstrated that violent offenders frequently have childhood and adolescent histories of serious and repeated animal cruelty................from this link...........https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/deliberate-pet-poisonings-could-point-to-psychological-problems-1.735874.

Not sure about that. I think people finally starting to get enough of dogs running around everywhere, posing a danger to children and old people. You don´t have to be mentally ill to watch it all every day and nothing is getting done about it.

2 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Not sure about that. I think people finally starting to get enough of dogs running around everywhere, posing a danger to children and old people. You don´t have to be mentally ill to watch it all every day and nothing is getting done about it.

Not liking dogs is one thing, and I fully understand that some here hate the many dogs running loose, which do cause problems. Like I mentioned, it's the government's job to protect their citizens and step up the spay/neuter programs so the whole country benefits, as the people aren't going to solve this problem. Intentionally poisoning the dogs is a problem, a mental one, and that's what I'm referring to with the link evidence. 

20 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Like I mentioned, it's the government's job to protect their citizens and step up the spay/neuter programs so the whole country benefits

Yep, and they are doing their job, right? 

On 8/25/2025 at 2:57 PM, Georgealbert said:

While villagers believe the perpetrator will ultimately face karmic consequences

 

Sorry villagers, you have been psy-opped.

 

There is no such thing as 'karmic consequences.'

 

Nor is there so called punishment for sin.

 

If the perps are connected to people of influence they will go on with their lives as usual, unscathed.

 

If they are just random riff raff, well, I will have a good laugh at what mob justice might do to them.

On 8/25/2025 at 9:57 PM, Georgealbert said:

Some villagers believe the culprit may be irritated by dogs barking at passing vehicles,

 

Not only barking, but also chasing joggers and  mopeds.