Man Mistook Wagging Dog for Friend, Severely Mauled
A 35-year-old man in Buriram was severely mauled by a vendor's dog after approaching it while it wagged its tail at a roadside shop on September 5, requiring hospitalization and rabies treatment.
On September 8, news staff visited Salangtohn village in Prokon Chai district, Buriram province, where they found Thanong, 35, recently discharged from Prokon Chai Hospital following a severe dog attack. He bore visible bite wounds on his neck and a deep laceration on his right palm that required multiple stitches.
Thanong recounted that on September 5 at around 6 p.m., he rode his motorcycle to a roadside convenience store. While his girlfriend ordered papaya salad at a nearby shop, he followed her and saw a black local dog belonging to a vendor. The dog wagged its tail, so Thanong, an animal lover who keeps several dogs at home, bent down to play with it. Instead, the dog suddenly jumped and bit his left neck, thrashing violently. As he struggled to pry the dog's mouth open, it bit his right palm, causing a severe laceration that bled heavily.
His friend Boom, who was also at the shop, rushed to help but was also bitten on the fingers. Shop staff and the dog's owner chased the animal away, then washed the wounds before taking both victims to Prokon Chai Hospital. Thanong received wound cleaning, antibiotics, rabies vaccination, and was admitted for three nights. Boom's injury was less severe; he received treatment and went home but had to return for follow-up rabies shots.
Thanong said the dog's owner visited the hospital and apologized, explaining he had no money because he only worked as a vendor and did not own the shop. Thanong decided not to pursue the matter, viewing it as misfortune. He added that the owner has since rehomed the dog. Thanong hopes this incident serves as a warning to others: never approach unfamiliar dogs, even if they appear friendly, because their intentions are unpredictable. If it had been a child, the outcome could have been fatal.
Wilaiporn, the convenience store owner, said she did not see the initial attack but heard screaming. When she ran outside, she saw Thanong trying to get the dog off and chased it away. She then helped wash the wounds of both victims with saline before their relatives took them to the hospital. She noted the dog had previously bitten several people but not as severely. She had repeatedly told the owner not to bring the dog out without confining it, and was relieved when it disappeared after the incident.
