Decision on dog pound “in one month’

PHUKET CITY: Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura has said that he plans to reach a decision on whether or not to shut the controversial Mid Road Dog Shelter in Thalang by the end of September.

At a meeting on August 31, which was held to discuss a number of topics and attended by representatives of every government agency in the province, Gov Udomsak reported that he had received letters and emails complaining that the dogs were suffering in the dog pound. He asked for attendees’ thoughts on whether or not to close it down.

Phuket Irrigation Office Project Director Watchara Arepornsiri said, “The idea of a dog pound is good one. However, if the enclosures are too small and the shelter is struggling to do its job, then I think it is better to close [the pound].”

Pobphon Sirilaksanapong, the Chief of the Phuket Provincial Forestry Office, added, “The place smells bad and gives a negative impression of the area.”

Yaowalak Yangyuen, Chief of Phuket Social Security Office, said that she has a house opposite the pound. “The dogs [in the pound] howl every night,” she complained, “and the Phuket Provincial Livestock Office (PPLO) did not ask how people felt about [opening the shelter].”

She described how she once saw a dog run out of the shelter and onto the road where it was hit by car and died.

Sunart Wongchawalit, Chief of the PPLO, responded by saying that he was trying to solve the problems to do with the dog pound by establishing an official foundation to help dogs.

“Many organizations, both national and international, support the dog shelter project. I think we should be allowed to continue trying to make it work,” he said.

Gov Udomsak concluded the meeting, saying, “I would like everyone to consider the condition of the dog shelter during September, and then we will discuss it again – and make a decision – at the end of September.”