Dog attack dilemmas

The latest fatal dog attack last week raises questions about whether Thailand has enough safeguards to deal with some foreign working dog breeds, such as pit bulls.
On Tuesday, a 67-year-old woman was killed by her sister’s pit bull as she rode her bicycle past the house in tambon Chiang Rak Noi of Sam Khok district in Pathum Thani province.
The dog attack problem has become harder to control after some foreign working breeds with strong muscles, such as Rottweilers and pit bulls, gained popularity among dog lovers in Thailand.
To raise these working breeds requires an understanding of animal behaviour, and a conducive environment such as plenty of exercise and space.
That is not the case in Thailand, where these muscular working dogs are raised in cages.
Deprived of regular exercise, they become more agitated and bite people within reach to reduce their frustration.
The two-year-old pit bull that killed the woman in Pathum Thani had been caged since it was two months old. It had attacked four people earlier.
It is more shocking to learn the Department of Livestock Development has issued an import ban on four dangerous dog breeds — American pit bull terriers, Rottweilers, Dobermans and Fila Brasileiros — since 2005. Anyone who violates this law faces a fine of 5,000 baht and the dog’s confiscation.
In reality, it is easy to buy these dogs at online shops where breeders offer a pit bull puppy starting at 2,500 baht.
With such easy access, it would not be surprising if these dogs are raised in a confined environment at home where they become overstressed and snap.
So, it is a relief to hear the department is now drafting an organic law to control dangerous dogs, which is expected to take effect by the end of this year or no later than the first half of next year.
The bill will include regulations for dangerous-dog owners and measures to prevent aggressive dogs from attacking people, including training obligations, warning signs, a requirement to attach a leash and muzzle, and the prohibition of people under 15 or over 65 years of age taking dangerous dogs out of confinement.
The bill requires owners not to expose the dogs to stress, fear or pain without reasonable cause. The penalty for irresponsible owners is a fine of 10,000-40,000 baht.
While the text of the bill seems to give teeth to animal management, questions remain: Can local officials enforce the law?
Is there enough manpower to inspect breeding farms, illegal businesses, and owners? The biggest question is: What is the mechanism for dealing with mistreated dogs?
The department cannot only focus on prescribing orders and imposing fines when pet owners fail to obey law.
It should work with animal welfare associations to develop support systems such as halfway shelters or adoption systems for owners to deal with maltreated dogs.
Also needed is an education programme to educate pet lovers and children to handle dogs properly.
Without integrated solutions and an education programme that enables dog lovers to treat their pets properly, some dogs become domestic risks rather than man’s best friend.