In the tranquil Kapoe district of Ranong, an unexpected tragedy struck when a playful afternoon turned into a nightmare for Rungthiva Rueang-on and her three-year-old son, Thanawat Makmun. On an ordinary day in February, the air was filled with the laughter of children gleefully playing outside their homes. Yet, this idyllic scene was shattered by the vicious actions of a Bangkaew dog owned by local resident Pramote Sae-lo.
The seemingly docile pet suddenly transformed into a predator, lunging towards little Thanawat without any provocation. The attack was swift and brutal, leaving the young boy with a severe head injury and a damaged ear. The dog, perhaps frightened by its own aggression, fled the scene, leaving behind chaos and a heartbroken mother.
In those frenzied moments, Rungthiva’s instincts took over. She swiftly scooped up her injured son and rushed him to Kapoe Hospital, where the medical team worked urgently to treat his wounds. Despite the fear and panic, Rungthiva held onto the hope that justice would prevail. The very next day, she filed a police complaint, demanding accountability from the dog’s owner.
“It was all so sudden,” Rungthiva recounted, still visibly shaken. “About nine children were enjoying themselves, and then out of nowhere, the dog appeared and bit my son. I did what any mother would do—I got him to the hospital, but the dog’s owner seemed indifferent to our plight.”
The situation grew tense when Rungthiva confronted the Sae-lo family. Although they initially agreed to pay for some of the medical expenses, offering 10,000 baht as a conciliatory gesture, Rungthiva believed that this was insufficient. Citing the severity of her son’s injuries and his ensuing terror, especially during the night, she rightfully demanded 50,000 baht. However, the family deemed her request unreasonable and refused further compensation.
Frustrated and determined, Rungthiva sought legal counsel. Enter Phuket-based lawyer Yarak Phethin, who stood by her side as they navigated the legal path towards justice. Phethin highlighted the serious consequences for negligent pet owners under the Criminal Code, which could include up to two years of imprisonment.
Back in Ranong, as the police investigation continues, Rungthiva advocates fiercely for responsible pet ownership. “My son suffered greatly, and his physical scars could be matched by emotional ones. I urge other pet owners to take measures to secure their animals. Next time, the outcome might be even more devastating.”
In another spine-tingling episode, a seemingly peaceful pharmacy turned battleground when six American Bullies stormed the premises, terrorizing a disabled dog owned by the shopkeeper. This unsettling event captured on security footage at Baan Ya Pharmacy in Buriram’s Mueang subdistrict only intensified the vivid narrative of unpredictable canine mayhem that seemed to loom over these quiet communities.
Piyanat Munha, the resilient shop owner, shared the chilling footage with the media, appealing for advice and solutions to this recurring menace. The nonchalant attitude of the aggressive dogs’ owner, who suggested that Munha close the shop to give his dogs free reign, compounded the frustration she felt.
As these stories ripple through the community, they serve as stark reminders of the unpredictable nature of animals and the pressing need for responsible ownership. They also underscore the resilience of ordinary people like Rungthiva and Piyanat, who, amidst adversity, rise with an indomitable spirit in pursuit of justice and safety.
This is heartbreaking! This could happen to any of us. I can’t believe the dog owner only offered 10,000 baht!
Right? It’s ridiculous! The kid was severely injured. Owners should pay the full 50,000 baht and be accountable.
Absolutely! It’s not just about money but also about ensuring incidents like this don’t happen again.
It’s tragic, but isn’t it too much to ask for that much compensation? Accidents happen.
Accidents do happen, but when negligence leads to such tragedies, accountability is a must.
Negligent pet owners should face severe consequences. This case might set an example for others.
Yes! Irresponsible pet ownership should lead to strict legal actions. It’s about time.
Honestly, people are overreacting. Dogs can be unpredictable; that’s just how it is.
That may be true, but it doesn’t excuse the owner’s responsibility. They need to control their pets.
Dogs acting unpredictably isn’t just ‘how it is.’ Owners should be more vigilant with potentially aggressive breeds.
But Clara, let’s not demonize specific breeds. Any dog can react negatively if provoked or scared.
I’m not demonizing. Simply saying owners must know their animals’ capabilities, especially if they’re aware of risks.
Crazy how even at a pharmacy, dogs can cause such chaos. It’s like we aren’t safe anywhere anymore.
Pharmacies should have stricter rules about pets. It’s unexpected places that catch us off guard sometimes.
It seems the indifference of some dog owners is the real issue. They need to be empathetic and responsible.
Rungthiva is doing the right thing by pursuing legal action. Setting a precedent could improve future safety.
I agree. Without setting examples, negligent owners will continue being careless.
Exactly! It’s about time there was some accountability; it can’t just be shrugged off.
Let’s hope this inspires better pet ownership across the board.
Justice should not come with a price tag! Every life-threatening incident must have serious legal repercussions.
But should every incident end with legal action? Sometimes these situations just get out of hand.
In cases like this, legal action is necessary to prevent further harm from lack of care.
I think pet education programs need to be made mandatory for all pet owners. This could prevent such incidents.
These emotional scars are worse than physical ones. Poor child will probably fear dogs forever!
In defense of the dogs, we humans also provoke them sometimes. We need to find a balance in coexisting.
This is why I’m a cat person. They aren’t perfect, but at least they are predictable.
As a responsible dog owner, I feel horrified reading this. We all need to ensure our pets are safe to be around.
Thank you for being a responsible owner! More people should follow suit.
I hope Thanawat recovers well. I can’t imagine the fear his family must be feeling. They deserve support.
Communities should come together during such times to provide support for affected families.
The sad part is that some dog owners still refuse to see the gravity of these situations.
Awareness and education are our best tools to change these mindsets.