Monks make complaint about stray dogs

PHUKET TOWN: A committee of monks from Wat Langsarn on Narisorn Rd, behind the Provincial Court House, have written a letter to the Muang Municipality complaining about nearly 30 stray dogs living in the wat’s compound. Udom Tansakul, an official at the Municipality, said that the letter, received yesterday, requested that his office remove the dogs. “The main problem is that many stray dogs there are diseased, some with leprosy. A lot of children and elderly people walk around the area, and monks have complained that several children got skin rashes after coming into contact with the dogs,” K. Udom explained. “But we can’t do anything right now,” he continued. “There’s no place we can bring the dogs to yet.” The Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) has said they are making plans to set up a pound for stray dogs, possibly in Kathu, but nothing is concrete yet. K. Udom added, “After the incident at Wat Wichit Sangkharam a couple of months ago, [in which 12 dogs were killed by the Municipality after receiving a similar complaint from monks there], the Governor ordered us not to kill any dogs, except those that pose an immediate threat to the public, such as rabid dogs, or those that attack people.” Laddawan Saetan, a member of the Phuket Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), said, “I agree with the Governor’s resolution to only kill very dangerous dogs, as we can treat those with leprosy. These dogs normally avoid people because everyone chases them away.” In the meantime, given the public outcry after the incident in July, the monks at Wat Langsarn have little choice but to wait.