In the tranquil heart of Khon Kaen, amidst serene surroundings, the atmosphere was shattered by a tragic incident involving three American Bully dogs. These powerful canines, aged between one and three years, have thrown a peaceful village into turmoil after they viciously attacked an elderly man.
Lek Seepak, a 70-year-old resident of Khor village Moo 1 in tambon Kud Khon Kaen, met a tragic end on that fateful night. Owning a knack for taking delightful evening strolls around the village, he was out and about on Wednesday night, possibly to collect money from neighbors who had bought frogs from him. Instead of his usual serene walk, Lek encountered the terrifying jaws of the American Bully dogs, owned by a nearby couple.
His son, Prasert Seepak, recounts the gut-wrenching moment he received the call while away working in Chon Buri. “I was informed that my father was seriously injured and being whisked off to the hospital. Just within half an hour, another call came through – he had succumbed to his injuries,” a visibly shaken Prasert expressed. The next day, Prasert made his way to Khon Kaen University’s Srinagarind Hospital to claim his father’s body for the funeral rites, still grappling with disbelief.
The owners of the dogs, Sakon Krongyut, 49, and Saowanee, 46, are well-known school teachers in the village. On the night of the attack, Saowanee had left the house to run errands. She claims that she had closed, but unfortunately did not lock the gate on departure. On her return, the horrifying sight of Lek being attacked greeted her. The victim lay while the dogs continued their assault, blood staining the road and his bicycle lying abandoned on its side.
Swiftly reacting, Saowanee managed to secure the dogs in their cages and called for medical help immediately. “They had never shown any signs of aggression before,” she shared, bewildered by the sudden change in their behavior. A meeting with the victim’s family to discuss funeral expenses and compensation is being planned, as the tragic incident raises deep concerns among the villagers.
This incident shines a spotlight on the controversial nature of the American Bully breed. Developed as a companion dog and recognized by the American Bully Kennel Club in 2004, the breed is known for its formidable bite force. While there are four types of American Bully dogs, the XL variant stands out due to its immense size and muscular build.
The XL Bully, in particular, has found itself under intense scrutiny and media fire for numerous maulings around the globe. The uproar following such incidents has led to sweeping bans. Last year, England and Wales decreed a ban on the breed, which took effect in January. Ireland has also jumped on the bandwagon, prompted by a fatal attack on a woman and the severe mauling of a nine-year-old boy. From October 1, Ireland will criminalize the import, breeding, or resale of this particular breed, a stern step indicative of the grave concerns surrounding it. Owners currently in possession of XL Bullies will need to neuter their dogs to obtain an exemption certificate.
As Khon Kaen grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event, the questions surrounding the safe ownership and management of powerful dog breeds remain ever pertinent. The haunting echoes of Lek Seepak’s fate will undoubtedly linger, serving as a stark reminder of the delicate balance communities must maintain between companionship and safety.
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