Dog Carries Live Grenade Into Thailand Home

SISAKET — A family in Thailand's northeastern province of Sisaket narrowly avoided disaster after their pet dog unknowingly carried a live Chinese-made hand grenade into the front yard, mistaking it for a toy or bone.

The incident occurred in Non Khun district after the family's dog returned home carrying a rusty object, which relatives initially believed was a piece of plastic or an old bone. The danger was only discovered when the homeowner returned from hospital and noticed the grenade's safety pin still attached.

Realizing it was a suspected explosive device, the homeowner carefully moved it away from the house before notifying the village head, who alerted police and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) officers.

Authorities identified the device as a TYPE 82-2 fragmentation hand grenade manufactured in China. Although heavily rusted, bomb disposal officers confirmed the grenade remained fully operational and could have detonated if the safety mechanism had been disturbed or the device had received a significant impact.

The grenade was safely transported to an open field away from the community and destroyed in a controlled explosion. Officials said the blast left a crater about 30 centimetres deep and 60 centimetres wide, demonstrating that the explosive still retained considerable destructive power.

The homeowner said family members had no idea the object was a grenade while the dog had been chewing on it earlier in the day.

"If the dog had pulled the pin or dropped it hard enough, I can't imagine what might have happened," the homeowner said.

District Chief Chaiwat Thammawat described the incident as an important warning for the public, particularly in areas where old military ordnance may still be found. He urged anyone who discovers suspected explosives, ammunition or military objects not to touch or move them, but to immediately notify local authorities or police so trained specialists can safely handle the situation.

No injuries were reported.