A Chiang Mai monk has offered to take over the care of 13 dogs whose barking and howling had worn down the neighbours on Charoen Prathet Road, with the move to a shelter planned for October 26.
Phrakhru Sangkharak Weerawat Weerawatthano, better known as Phrakhru Ord of Wat Chedi Luang Worawihan, visited the Chang Khlan neighbourhood in Mueang district with Chiang Mai municipal officials from Mengrai ward and volunteers from The ARK Foundation under Royal Patronage. The aim was to check on the dogs and settle things between the owner’s household and the people next door.
Phrakhru Ord said he will take responsibility for all 13 dogs and is working with the Phetkasem Foundation in Chiang Mai and livestock officials to carry out the move. The team wants everything finished by October 26, which is easier said than done, since catching and transporting 13 dogs is unlikely to be a quiet operation. He asked everyone involved to put up with a bit more noise for a day or so. The owner has also agreed not to take in more dogs and end up in the same mess again.
He described the situation as sad for everyone, people and dogs alike. The owner’s parents, who have been helping look after the animals, are elderly and in poor health, and thirteen dogs is more than they can manage.
The dogs have also spent long stretches chained up. Once they are out, they will all get full health checks, and the plan is to neuter them and set up longer-term care.
