Dogs run free--barkers, chasers, and biters INSIDE THE MOAT

[zazezo]

I live inside the moat, and travel by bicycle. Yesterday I had three seperate encounters with three different dogs--one just barking, the other two involved attack mode. These dogs are not soi dogs--they have "owners." The last incident was at Wat Phrasing, inside the temple grounds, late evening. While walking home, along the main road which runs through the wat I was accosted by a large dog which clearly intended to bite me. This was prevented by a boy-monk who finally grabbed it by the collar.

The middle-aged Thai woman who cooks at the place I live was savaged by her OWN DOG, and

underwent the treatment for rabies. There seems to be no requirement for vaccination, and no requirement

that owners keep their dogs on their own property, even in a built-up metropolitan area.

One might dare to hope that there would be some limit to foolishness which is officially permitted--but in a place where the concept of "public safety" is an oxymoron, that hope would be in vain.

I have been here long enough to understand that nobody accepts any responsibility for anything.

Thailand, the land of "It's not my job!" Unless a "pu-yai" is personally affected,

THERE IS NO PROBLEM--the public be damned.

I recall a national leader, long ago, in a country far, far away, who placed upon his desk a sign which read: "The Buck Stops Here." Thailand could use a bit of that.

Your suggestions or thoughts would be welcome.

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

welcome to thailand !

cycling tip... dusk, dawn and dark dogs are much more active.

Ride in the middle of the heat. Animals can't sweat and need to pant and remain inactive to stay cool.

[BB1955]

Ride all the time inside the moat never had a problem .... But agree too many dogs un attended but that's life most are very friendly and I have found that soi dogs are much smarter than your average pooch. I guess the not so smart one are already road kill ....

[searcher22]

cycling tip ... don't cycle.

When I first came to Thailand, I set out to explore the soys of the city by foot and by bicycle. After a few close calls with some menacing dogs, I gave up that ambition. You'll get tips on this forum such as carry a spray bottle with ammonia, blowing a whistle, etc. But often dogs come out of nowhere and have enough time to bite you before you can react. Stay away from temple grounds in the early and late hours or if you're the only person there. Consider moving to a safer neighbourhood and riding a scooter instead.

[wolf5370]

I walked from the Bus Station to Hang Dong in November, maybe 26 Km or so. It took me about 3.5 hours. I started at about 8pm after getting off the bus, and was a nice cool evening so decided to walk. On the way I picked up a discarded wooden stake from a building site - having already seen off several dog attack (including small packs of 4 or five) - I kept track and by the time I reached home, had suffered 15 separate incidents of dog/pack attacks. I am only 40 years old, and in good health, so was able to keep them at bay (mostly by walking backwards, keeping eye contact and threatening them when they got to close) - all were outside houses, shops or roadside bars. I did not matter if I walked on the opposite side of the road or tried to avoid them, they came to me. I have always had big dogs back home and not afraid of them, and know how to keep them at bay - if I had had one of my daughters with me, there would probably be a string of dead mutts in my wake - taking no chances.

The other day I walked home midday with my daughter after dropping a moped off - short walk of about 3-4km (I like to walk if there is time). A dog that is always aggressive against male farangs (as I have seen) came right up to me snarling and growling - I used the crash helmet to keep it at bay (it was close enough that the helmet was against its face keep it at bay at arm length) - it tried to walk around me a couple of times, towards my daughter, but I stepped in-between still using the helmet. As usual the owner, a shop keeper that lets it roam (it was a street away - she must have heard it barking!) came around and called it - it, also as always, ignored her completely - she repeatedly told me it was OK and just to keep walking (like I'm going to turn my back on a snarling dog that I need a object to keep at bay!) - I ignored her, when the dog allowed a gap and then came at me again, I raised the helmet and it thought twice about it! It still followed my around the corner (the owner never approached it herself - just stood away and called it) - I kept walking slowly and kept my eye on it, every time it closed on me I raised the helmet and turned to face it. I am an animal lover, I am a vegetarian, but if that dog had gone for my daughter it would have had its head caved in with my full face crash helmet!

These animals have been allowed to become semi-feral pack animals - they need to be rounded up and put down. There is no other alternative - if people can't keep their animals inside their own gardens, or on a leash, then they forfeit their right to own them. People are bitten here all the time - kids mauled walking home from school. No vaccinations means rabies is a big risk. Easy to sort out; on a local level, hire dog catchers - fine owners that reclaim their pets for them being outside without a leash and per vaccination not up to date - if they bite, put them down. Give the fines to the dog catchers, like bounties. Otherwise, at some point, someone will ride along on their moped dropping poisoned lumps of meat - which causes suffering and is indiscriminate - and in the meantime kids get mauled and dogs hold pedestrians in fear.

[daoyai]

I like that dogs roam free here, I think agressive ones should be muzzeled or confined, all should be vaccinated.

[stedyedy]

Take a spray can,paint,fly spray,they'll think twice about running up on anyone.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[BlackArtemis]

I had to kick one int he face a few years ago as it lunged at me. The owner came outside to yell at me and slunk away after I went off on him. I then went to the night bazaar and bought a telescoping baton. The simple act of extending it stopped every dog, never had to hit a dog, so it was a win win.

[wolf5370]

Take a spray can,paint,fly spray,they'll think twice about running up on anyone. Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Yeah just get shot by the owners instead

A small bag of chilli powder might be easier to carry - or a Walther P22

//Edit: Typo

Edited January 14, 2014 by wolf5370

[namatjira]

what has worked for me with dogs is to pretend to pick up a stone off the ground , works everytime, the dogs run away, was surrounded by 5 one evening, made the motions of picking up a stone and about to throw it and bingo they ran.

[masuk]

Take a spray can,paint,fly spray,they'll think twice about running up on anyone. Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Yeah just get shot by the owners instead

A small bag of chilli powder might be easier to carry - or a Walther P22

//Edit: Typo

Are TASARS available here?

[sharktooth]

what has worked for me with dogs is to pretend to pick up a stone off the ground , works everytime, the dogs run away, was surrounded by 5 one evening, made the motions of picking up a stone and about to throw it and bingo they ran.

Kinda difficult on a bike like...

[stedyedy]

Take a spray can,paint,fly spray,they'll think twice about running up on anyone. Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Yeah just get shot by the owners instead

A small bag of chilli powder might be easier to carry - or a Walther P22

//Edit: Typo

Nevermind your what ifs durrbrain.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[eyecatcher]

It was exactly a year ago when I started the thread about being bitten in the temple.

"being caught short"

Now I wonder if the jan/ feb months have any significance?

But since my incident, I undertook a 6 month course of rabies injection just to be sure.

I am and always was very afraid of dogs but in the last year my confidence has grown but mainly because I often carry a handful of stones in my motorbike now and when out walking sticks and stones and sometimes a machete, tho the machete is really for scrub or tree clearance.

I also have catapult tho mastering that whilst on a bike needs more practice.

I am,still scared when they chase my motorbike and I am sure they recognise us as falangs but the idea of poisoning them had crossed my mind simply because I am not an animal lover...sorry but some of us don't have patience with animals.

If I see a ball bearing gun anywhere I will buy and carry it on my bike until I exit my sois.

I want to walk and ride my bike in safety in chiang mai.

[MrBrad]

I had to kick one int he face a few years ago as it lunged at me. The owner came outside to yell at me and slunk away after I went off on him. I then went to the night bazaar and bought a telescoping baton. The simple act of extending it stopped every dog, never had to hit a dog, so it was a win win.

I'm curious about the telescoping baton. Do you have a photo of it, or can you find a photo online and post it?

Another option might be a product similar to Halt dog repellent. But, who knows where to buy this kind of pepper spray in Thailand? The spray is projected in a stream for 3-4 meters (up to 12 feet). I know that there are some pepper sprays available locally that have a fanned-out spray pattern; this wouldn't be very practical against a charging dog.

[circusman]

Ride all the time inside the moat never had a problem .... But agree too many dogs un attended but that's life most are very friendly and I have found that soi dogs are much smarter than your average pooch. I guess the not so smart one are already road kill ....

Speaking of road kill - I have been in Thailand nearly 15 years and have yet to see a dead dog in the street. Is it because they are so street smart or just damn lucky? Or the bodies are scooped up quickly by someone?

[circusman]

In my life experience I noticed 99% of dogs acting like they will bite are mostly bark and growl. Stand up for yourself and usually you will be ok. It just pisses me off that they think they can win against someone 10 times their weight and size.

[sharktooth]

Ride all the time inside the moat never had a problem .... But agree too many dogs un attended but that's life most are very friendly and I have found that soi dogs are much smarter than your average pooch. I guess the not so smart one are already road kill ....

Speaking of road kill - I have been in Thailand nearly 15 years and have yet to see a dead dog in the street. Is it because they are so street smart or just dam_n lucky? Or the bodies are scooped up quickly by someone?

Yeah mate, there is a 24 hour company going around shoveling them up. Or it could be the never ending traffic constantly mashing them into the road surface, heat, rain, birds and insects...

[binjalin]

i loath the dogs and they are a menace here especially in moo baans where irresponsible owners (nearly all Thai) just open the gates and let them roam

lots of good advice here

I have one of those 'collapsing batons' too but i keep forgetting it lol. one of the best piece of advice is do not walk or cycle at dusk or at night unless in a populated area

this is the "Wild East' best not to forget it

[Thighlander]

some otherwise very nice Moo baans have been ruined because of the dogs. Most have owners, and some feed the soi dogs, and then don't claim they own them. Mace is not available in Thailand, I even emailed the company to try and find it. There are some other varieties at the Night Bazaar, but it may be illegal. Rabies shots sound awful.

[Torrens54]

If they have good teeth, there is a Fat Little Fellow in North Korea who might like to buy the ones that were in "attack mode."

[wolf5370]

Ride all the time inside the moat never had a problem .... But agree too many dogs un attended but that's life most are very friendly and I have found that soi dogs are much smarter than your average pooch. I guess the not so smart one are already road kill ....

Speaking of road kill - I have been in Thailand nearly 15 years and have yet to see a dead dog in the street. Is it because they are so street smart or just dam_n lucky? Or the bodies are scooped up quickly by someone?

Dog got hit the other day outside my house (shame because it was a nice dog). It was late, gone midnight. It was there when I walked over to 7-11 an hour later, but was gone in the morning - so I guess they do get picked up pretty quick.

[MilesofSmiles]

Take a spray can,paint,fly spray,they'll think twice about running up on anyone. Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Yeah just get shot by the owners instead

A small bag of chilli powder might be easier to carry - or a Walther P22

//Edit: Typo

Are TASARS available here?

Yes, go to a big weekend market, you should find a stall or 2 with batons, tasers, and even fun-size baseball bats

[arunsakda]

Saw a bicycle with an interesting set up in Hawaii. An old 9-iron attacked to top tube of frame with small velcro straps.

[dave2]

re

Yes, go to a big weekend market, you should find a stall or 2 with batons, tasers, and even fun-size baseball bats

hes right

re

Rabies shots sound awful.

no it isnt ! .. they are 5 totaly painless injetcions in your

arm over one month ... not 6 !

and cost you about two thousand baht !

dave2

[duidui45]

welcome to thailand !

cycling tip... dusk, dawn and dark dogs are much more active.

Ride in the middle of the heat. Animals can't sweat and need to pant and remain inactive to stay cool.

Dogs sweat thrue their paws and mounth...Just thought you should know..

[deesquared]

I run in Chiang Mai and always carry a collapsible police baton I found at the Night Bizarre. I have to whip it out several times per run.

[belg]

road kill, might be your next lunch or dinner

[chrissables]

Ride all the time inside the moat never had a problem .... But agree too many dogs un attended but that's life most are very friendly and I have found that soi dogs are much smarter than your average pooch. I guess the not so smart one are already road kill ....

Speaking of road kill - I have been in Thailand nearly 15 years and have yet to see a dead dog in the street. Is it because they are so street smart or just dam_n lucky? Or the bodies are scooped up quickly by someone?

I just got back from riding my motorbike from Pattaya to Phetchabun, Nong Khai, Chaiapum, Korat and back and saw many dead dogs at the side of roads. They should enforce collar wearing and being leashed to prevent them running into the road. Not so bad in a car, but on a motorbike easy to cause a bad accident.

[Tycoon]

Had the same problem in my area last year. I sprayed 2 savage dogs with pepper spray. It really worked and they avoid me like the plague now. Didn't kill them but it gave them a painful lesson and I've had no further problems with them chasing me.