....also have to take care of 36 dogs (35 adopted, 1 is my own), since so many thai's unfortuanly don't.

You have 36 dogs???!!!!!

What do your neighbours think of the constant barking? Sounds like you have made your own hel_l-on-Earth!

Glad I don't live in your neighbourhood.

Edited February 3, 200620 yr by Sir Burr

36.... I had 14 next door to me howling every night and crapping in the private soi all day long. 36 ... LOL!

Actually, pedigreed dogs often have more nervous problems and health issues than non breeded dogs. I think the mistake you are using is in calling these dogs "mixed breed" which implies they have some sort of "breed" in them.

Breeds of dogs were created by humans by breeding dogs with the desired characteristics with other dogs of the same desirable characteristics. Thus producing, say, a Dalmation because they wanted a white dog with black spots. Unfortunately, purebreeds are a result of inbreeding and if one is not careful one can end up with a dog with severe problems. The Dalmation is a good example, a dog famous for its nervy high strung behavior.

Now, the local dogs are usually not the result of the mating across breeds, which would result in a "mixed breed". They are closer to the original "dog" than most breeds would be. Thus, any defects would be eliminated due to natural selection: the weak, ill and high strung would usually not last long enough to reproduce.

So, it is generally a well-known fact that the local dogs are generally healthier, stronger and more well adjusted to their locale than any purebred dog could be.

We have 3 local dogs (5 total 2 are mixed breed) and they are lovely well behaved dogs, good with children and adults. A good dog is made by a good owner, if the dog has issues it is most likely that is because the owner has taught it bad habits.

As for spaying (female dogs) and neutering (male dogs), don't you think that if everyone were taught to be more responsible owners and that low-cost sterilization were made easily available that the dog population would, inevitably, decrease? Certainly it is not the only solution but do you think killing them all is the only solution too? Wouldn't it be better to have many different solutions and try to keep an open mind about what might help the problem?

Girlx, why don't you get together with alot of the other dog owners and see if you can arrange a day that PAC comes over? I managed to bring vets over from Surat Thani to sterilize my dogs 12 years ago so, I suspect, if you get together with enough people, you can come up with a solution.

yeah i tried and will keep trying.

my dog's heat (and thus the madness) seems to be over, and now i am wondering if she is pregnant. a thai lady told me i could give a depo injection to my dog and if she is pregnant it would cause her to abort as well as keeping her from getting pregnant for 3 months. a) i have no idea how to give an injection, and B i am not sure it is safe for my dog, but i got some, and would love to hear from someone who might know (bambina?) if this is an acceptable approach!

oh and if anyone has any extra money or veterinarian pals, please donate them to phangan animal care!

Edited February 3, 200620 yr by girlx

....also have to take care of 36 dogs (35 adopted, 1 is my own), since so many thai's unfortuanly don't.

You have 36 dogs???!!!!!

What do your neighbours think of the constant barking? Sounds like you have made your own hel_l-on-Earth!

Glad I don't live in your neighbourhood.

The problem with constant barking is usually the other dogs in the street behind us.

yeah i tried and will keep trying.

my dog's heat (and thus the madness) seems to be over, and now i am wondering if she is pregnant. a thai lady told me i could give a depo injection to my dog and if she is pregnant it would cause her to abort as well as keeping her from getting pregnant for 3 months. a) i have no idea how to give an injection, and B i am not sure it is safe for my dog, but i got some, and would love to hear from someone who might know (bambina?) if this is an acceptable approach!

oh and if anyone has any extra money or veterinarian pals, please donate them to phangan animal care!

Do not inject your dog with depo provera unless you want her to die from cancer in the future. Two of my older dogs died from cancer and had those injections, and according to Dr Somsuk, the vet in Samui, 100% of the dogs he has seen who had those injections have developed cancer and died.

thanks, you're right, i talked to PAC about it and they said no as well...

Humans are supposed to act responsibly. Dogs can’t. With the right to walk down the street and not be attacked by dogs, comes the responsibility to do something about it. Too many people today are bleating about their rights, but not interested when it comes to their responsibilities. I suspect many of these people end up in Thailand.

The reason the vets do not want to know about controlling the dog population is 1 they are hardened to seeing injured and sick animals, and 2 they are more concerned about the bad karma they will attract than the plight of yet more street dogs. It is purely a

question of priorities.

Having worked in tourism for many years, it is astounding to me that Thailand would try to promote itself as the perfect destination for Europeans and North Americans, while not addressing the street dog situation in a sustained, ethical and humane manner. This shows a basic lack of understanding of both Europeans and North Americans. They are shooting themselves in the foot BIGTIME. Many right – minded tourists are absolutely disgusted, horrified and amazed to see the pitiful state of some of many of these creatures.

Thailand is the only ‘foreign’ country I have ever lived in where the ex-pat community seem to want to take all the country has to offer, and give back very little in return. In Spain and even in the wilds of Mexico, ex-pats were the instigating force behind animal welfare schemes, including spaying and neutering, re-homing, and free veterinary care.

The worldwide kudos and positive PR for instigating such animal welfare schemes would pay Thailand back tenfold, and as a by-product, help the street dogs, who cannot help themselves. Many street dogs have given up, I see it in their eyes. They are remarkably controlled and well behaved considering the appalling conditions, and desperation they face on a daily basis.

Is it morally correct to blame a dog for injury? It is through abject neglect and worse that these miserable creatures must live. They do not have a choice. Humans do.

‘Do-gooders have to be realistic?’ Do ex-patriots also have to be realistic I wonder?

Given the massive, nationwide problem of street dogs, it is totally unrealistic to expect charity to cover the costs. Good-hearted people can help, but essentially the funding must come either from the government or state.

The Dog Shelter in Hua Hin featured recently in Bangkok Post could be considered a model other townships to emulate. But they are only scratching the surface. It was funded by a grant from The King.

Any schemes put in place will fail unless they have the full support of a core of enlightened veterinary practitioners. They simply must be on board. Due to their morals, it seems unlikely that any will, unless persuaded by the mighty Baht.

The scale of the problem is completely overwhelming, both locally, and country-wide. And without consolidated and sustained action (from caring and concerned humans), it will only get worse.

The suggestion of a doggie contraceptive, although well meaning, would be a short term solution for a long term problem. A band-aid on a gaping wound gushing blood. Few people could afford this on an ongoing basis.

The only solution which stands any chance of success HAS to be nationwide, and HAS to be sustained and co-ordinated. These are ALL necessary steps. Miss one, and the same problem will be encountered afew years down the road.

1. Humane Mass Culling - This is sad but unavoidable.

2. Mass neutering and spaying program - FREE OF CHARGE TO ALL

3. Re-Homing centres.

4. Education Program nationwide.

It seems to me, the only way this will take place is if someone in authority is brought ‘on side’. Perhaps a million questionnaires from tourists leaving the country who are absolutely disgusted and outraged by the street dogs mass neglect would move someone in power ?

This coupled with petitions signed by departing tourists (and maybe incoming too) would surely make someone sit up and take notice eventually?

The dogs cannot break this cycle of misery. Humans can.

cannot agree more!

but are you 2 actually doing anything about it that is productive in and of itself?

if any dedicated members of tv would get together and try to do something about the dogs' situation in thailand - I would be the first to join!

i bet soidogrescue could use help ... why duplicate efforts?