Man Arrested After Killing Three-Legged Dog With Shovel
A man was arrested in Buriram Province after video showed him killing his niece's three-legged dog with a shovel; he claimed anger over the animal's illness but faces charges for animal cruelty, home invasion, and drug possession.
On September 13, a social media post featuring video footage showed a dog being killed and a man digging a burial pit for the animal's remains in Chamni District, Buriram Province. The dog's owner subsequently filed a police report. Pol. Lt. Col. Kraiysit Omthaisong, commander of Chamni Police Station, ordered the arrest of Preeya (nickname Kob), 57, at his residence and seized a shovel as evidence.
During questioning, Preeya admitted to striking the male dog, Jao Heng, twice on the head with a shovel, killing it, before burying the body near his home. He claimed the dog was his own and blamed anger over its chronic illness and concern it might infect his other dogs, along with complaints about it sleeping outside and causing odors. He also admitted to previous drug use and stated he would kill his remaining dog the same way.
Vathiraphon, 34, the dog's actual owner, revealed she had raised Jao Heng from puppyhood. The Siberian Husky mix had lost its front left leg in an accident, leaving it with three legs, so she had asked a relative to help care for it while she provided money for food. On the morning of the incident, the caregiver found blood inside the house and no sign of the dog. Security camera footage showed Preeya, her actual uncle, entering with a shovel and striking the sleeping dog before removing and burying its body.
The owner expressed devastation at the brutal animal cruelty and demanded legal prosecution. Police have charged Preeya with three offenses: home invasion, intentional animal cruelty, and possession of Category 1 controlled drugs (methamphetamine) without authorization, with further legal proceedings to follow.
