29-7-2024 (BANGKOK) A group of 28 dogs found themselves at the centre of a rescue operation in Bangkok’s Khlong Sam Wa district on Saturday. The animals had been left without sustenance for days following the untimely demise of their owner, 62-year-old Attapol Charoenpithak.
The grim discovery was made after a concerned neighbour, Sompong Phasuksri, 53, alerted authorities to Attapol’s unusual absence. Sompong noted that Attapol’s car had remained stationary for approximately a week, a stark departure from his daily routine of visiting the local market.
Upon entering the premises, police and members of the Ruamkatanyu Foundation were confronted with a scene of utter squalor. The house was awash with rubbish and canine excrement, painting a picture of severe neglect. In a macabre twist, it appeared that the famished dogs had been driven to consume part of their late owner’s remains.
Attapol, who was known to suffer from various health conditions including diabetes and hypertension, was found deceased in his second-floor bedroom. His body has been transferred to the Police General Hospital for post-mortem examination.
The Voice Foundation, led by fashion model Chonlada Mekratree, was promptly called in to oversee the rescue operation. Foundation official Supawadee Srithassanakarn headed a team of veterinarians who discovered 29 Chihuahuas and Shih Tzus on the property, two of which were in a particularly dire state due to malnourishment.
This incident brings to light a complex history between Attapol and animal welfare organisations. In 2017, public outcry ensued when Attapol was observed transporting numerous dogs in cages on the back of his pickup truck during scorching weather conditions. This led to increased scrutiny from The Voice Foundation.
The situation escalated in 2021 when a veterinarian caring for Attapol’s dogs reported a disturbing pattern of weekly canine deaths to the foundation. At that time, Attapol’s canine family numbered 46. The foundation’s intervention, which involved the sterilisation of 20 dogs, was met with resistance from Attapol, who filed a trespassing complaint with local law enforcement.
However, a compromise was eventually reached. Attapol agreed to return the sterilised dogs and made provisions for all his pets to be placed under the foundation’s care following his death.
In the wake of this tragic event, The Voice Foundation has extended an invitation to the public, offering the opportunity to adopt these resilient canines.
