Family keeping killer dog

CHON BURI: The family of Mana Thessarit, a 51-year-old man who died after being viciously attacked by his golden retriever “Peter”, says there’s no question of getting rid of the killer pooch.

Mr Mana’s daughter Wassana said the family will continue to look after the dog at the family home, in Sattahip district in the Central Thailand province.

Peter attacked Mr Mana in the yard of the house on the morning of June 11, when no one else was at home.

When neighbors saw what was happening, they intervened and restrained the dog – but not before it had covered Mr Mana in deep bites.

Rescue workers rushed Mr Mana to Somdej Phra Nang Jao Sirikit Hospital, where he received 10 stitches and was later discharged.

But later the same day, Mr Mana walked into his bathroom and fell unconscious. He was sent back to the hospital but died of shock.

After it emerged that Mr Mana had abused the dog since it was about seven months old, kicking it regularly, there was little sympathy for the dead man in the local press.

The Daily News even reported that the dog had waited until the pair were alone – before attacking.

Mrs Wassana, who posed with the panting dog for media photos, said there was no question of giving Peter away or having him put to sleep.

The family were very fond of the dog, she said, adding that before he died, Mr Mana had told the family not to give the dog away, saying he felt sorry for it.