Reporting A Case To The Police ?

[Amonik]

Dear all,

A few weeks ago I posted a message here about the death of our dog in a hotel for dogs in Bangkok, called Wordl Pet Angel. We contacted TSPCA and they asked us what we wanted to do, bla bla... that if the hotel is responsible of her death, then, we can report the case to the police.

My husband and I are both "farangs" living in another city and we really don't know the law in Thailand.

Is it worth to talk to the Police ? will they do something against that hotel ?

We already talk with the hotel's owner and they admitted their responsability and asked us what they can do to "compensate" our dog's death, of course, nothing.

I'll appreciate if someone has or know some experience with the police in cases like mine.

Thank you very much,

Andre

Luna ~ 19/may/99 - 11/Oct/06

[sbk]

Most likely they won't pursue a criminal case since the owners of the dog hotel are willing to compensate you. If you are unwilling to accept compensation I don't know that the police would go any further but rather would view you as being unreasonable, to be honest.

[Amonik]

Most likely they won't pursue a criminal case since the owners of the dog hotel are willing to compensate you. If you are unwilling to accept compensation I don't know that the police would go any further but rather would view you as being unreasonable, to be honest.

Thanks sbk for your opinion. That's why I said that I don't know the law in Thailand regarding "animals". For example, if a person died and someone is responsible of his death, the police take action and so on. You will not "arrange" a compensation in that case, right ?

So, is there any law or "customer protection" or whatever in case of animals ? For us, a money compensation it's not enough, we are expecting something more. In that case was our dog, but it could happend to any dog. Will you leave your dog there ?

Regards,

Andre

[pumpuiman]

Perhaps as compensation you could ask that the hotel provide literature to pet owners explaining the dangers. Or require them to create a memorial to your dog in their lobby, relating the story. Might save some lives.

Sorry for your loss,

Eric

[Wolfie]

Animal cruelty (which is, at a guess what this case would be treated as) is punishable by 500b fine. Shocking really

[sbk]

Actually, there is often financial compensation at the loss of life. About 15 years ago the Songserm boat which runs from Surat Thani to Samui and then Phangan sank, with loss of life. One of those happened to be my husband's uncle. The Songserm company offered his family 25,000 baht for loss of life (their negligence, pilot was drunk) and 10,000 baht for the disability suffered by his wife. Mind, this is back when it was 25 baht to the dollar, but still, the amount was minimal. My husband's cousin got her lawyer on to it and forced Songserm to pay more.

I also remember a few years back when an old woman was crushed beneath the wheels of a BMTA bus, the driver pulled away without checking to see if all passengers had disembarked. Financial compensation of some 30,000 baht or so was paid to her family.

I don't believe the driver faced any charges in either case.

So, if you really want to punish these people, get the word out instead.

[Amonik]

Thank you all of you for your input.

It seems that the law in Thailand, either humans or animals, is far from justice.... so it should be better to "arrange" with them. We are still in shock with her death, she was very special, our soul mate, so it's very difficult to us in terms of compensation. May we will follow sbk advice and let the society know what happened with our dog.

Thanks,

Andre

[Sheryl]

So sorry for your loss.

As to what to do, keeping in mind that your aim is to protect other dogs in future, then I would suggest you go ahead and report to the police, even though we know all they are likely to do is mediate for compensation. The reason I say this is in order to make as much of a problem for the hotel as you can, on the theory that this will make them more careful in the future. And in the discussions on compensation, give them a fairly hard time and perhaps follow SBK's suggestions, i.e. a memorial service or better yet (if you can manage to get them to agree) ask for an apology to be published in the newspaper stating that they were negligent, they apologize, and they resolve to be more conscientious in the future. They are likely to resist this but worth a shot. Anyhow you get the idea -- just try to make things as unpleasant for them as you can to drive home the point that what they did has caused you great grief, in the hopes that in future they will take their responsibility more seriously.

Getting the word out so other dog owners can avoid the place is also a good idea.

My condolences.

[helicoptor]

What reason (if any) did they give as to the reasons for your pets death?

The reason I ask is I gather you suspect foul play of some sort which has prompted you to post this topic.

BTW I feel for you, I sincerely do, I know what it's like to lose a pet - heart breaking

[Amonik]

Sheryl, thank you very much for your kind words and for your suggestions. Very helpful !

Helicoptor, you can read the history here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=94565

I don't understand what you mean but they didn't gave us any reason about her death. They don't know, for then she just got sick.... But we have the autopsy result and we talked with the doctor who assist her and those who did the autopsy plus comments from the staff at the dog hotel. So, we know very well what happened and that she didn't receive medical treatment at the right time.

Regards

[November Rain]

Amonik,

Once again I'm very sorry for the loss of your dog. I'm also so sorry that your case is being viewed in the way I feared it might. As I said, animals are viewed (at best) as property here & that's why you're being offered the compensation. It's for loss of "property", much as I hate to say it & I know you hate to hear it.

So, your next step is to decide what you want. Do you want an apology? A public statement of some sort? Money (I'm sure not this, it's just an option)? The "hotel" closed down (unlikely)?

Decide what you want as "compensation" for the loss of your friend & go forward with that in mind. But, please, don't expect authorities to view this in the way they might in your native country. They won't. The best way forward (no matter how disgusting to you) is to push how valuable & irreplaceable (financially) your companion was. I'm sorry, but TIT

Good luck

[Amonik]

Amonik,

Once again I'm very sorry for the loss of your dog. I'm also so sorry that your case is being viewed in the way I feared it might. As I said, animals are viewed (at best) as property here & that's why you're being offered the compensation. It's for loss of "property", much as I hate to say it & I know you hate to hear it.

So, your next step is to decide what you want. Do you want an apology? A public statement of some sort? Money (I'm sure not this, it's just an option)? The "hotel" closed down (unlikely)?

Decide what you want as "compensation" for the loss of your friend & go forward with that in mind. But, please, don't expect authorities to view this in the way they might in your native country. They won't. The best way forward (no matter how disgusting to you) is to push how valuable & irreplaceable (financially) your companion was. I'm sorry, but TIT

Good luck

Yes November, you were absolutely right. Thank you very much for your sympathy and to write everything so clear, it's like you read my mind ! In the beginning, our desire was that some authority close that hotel... (didn't know how animals or things are considered), I think it's very unlikely. At some point we thought sending a letter to some newspaper, but we reflect on that and thought, who will be willing to publish such kind of letter ? a public apology would be better instead. We spoke with the owner last sunday and they assume their responsability (offering a compensation that we didn't considered), they agreed that the staff made many mistakes that they were hidden to us plus many lies.... We just need to decide what to ask. Thanks.

[britmaveric]

Compensation would be best deal you can get.

I'm curious in short why did your huski die? Being a fellow huski owner I can sympathize with you immensely. Any dog I have ever had - I've treated like family.

As for writing a letter? Why not give it a go and send it as a BKK Post editorial?

Edited December 21, 2006 by britmaveric

[Sheryl]

Agree with Brit...considering the tripe that regulalry appears, Bkk Post seems hared up for letters to publish and would be a good bet. Also Nation.

As for what to ask...printed apology in a leading Thai paper ?Thai Rath?)

[Amonik]

Brit, thanks for your message and your opinion. The cause of death of our dog was septicemia, as the autopsy revealed. Why ? because the dog hotel staff didn't took her to the doctor for treatment at the right time. One week before she died, she mated with a soi dog (I don't know if she opened a door or someone leave it open) The next day, they took her to the vet for mismating ! (without any notice to us or our thai friend). That was a big mistake because those hormone injections (two) weakened her immune system. She got an infection by some bacteria that started in the uterus. One day before she died (or may be before, we don't know that) she had fever, vomits, diarrhea, didn't eat, etc. They didn't take her to the vet ! they did it the next morning, she was so sick that she couldn't even walk.... her fever was 105 F, she was panting, very depressed. The doctor gave her the right treatment but it was too late, the infection spread into the blood stream (septicemia) and her organs start to shut down, her kidneys first, her heart later, she died from shock (like coma) at 15:15 on 10/11/06.

Like you, we treated her as another family member, she was the queen of the house and the guardian of our 5-month old baby. We went through difficult times to have our son and she was always there for us, specially for me. It's like I can't let it go, just thinking on the way that she died, alone and without seeing us anymore, I feel the need to do something. I don't mean that the dog hotel wants her to die, they just made many mistakes with her that leads to her death.

Sheryl, thank your for your suggestion, it's a very good idea a printed apology in a Thai newspaper.

We are thinking on that. If they don't agree, I'll write a letter for BKK post or Nation. I'll ask some friend to help me because english is not my mother language.

I really appreciate your time and suggestions,

Best regards,

Andre

[helicoptor]

Sheryl, thank you very much for your kind words and for your suggestions. Very helpful !

Helicoptor, you can read the history here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=94565

I don't understand what you mean but they didn't gave us any reason about her death. They don't know, for then she just got sick.... But we have the autopsy result and we talked with the doctor who assist her and those who did the autopsy plus comments from the staff at the dog hotel. So, we know very well what happened and that she didn't receive medical treatment at the right time.

Regards

Thanks for the post giving details on what actually happened,

IMO the business is just a money making machine run by staff with no real expertise in looking after animals, basic care of feeding and exercising mostly. Certainly no experience if any sickness occurs, what to do etc. It shocks me that your pet was allowed to mix with other dogs - expecially of the opposite sex! If this was prevented then Im positive all this would not have happened. I honestly don't think there was any intent to cause neglect, it is just simply lack of experience by the staff and failure to act quickly when the warning signs showed.

I can't really add any more than what's already been posted - once again I am sad for your loss. It hurts bad to lose a friend because thats what a pet is. Remember the good times and stay positive. Let it go on the pursuit of financial compensation, it just isn't worth it and will only prolong your grief.