A man has been arrested in the north-eastern province of Buri Ram on suspicion of killing and decapitating four puppies.
The remains of the dogs, with their heads removed and crushed, were found buried under a tree in the grounds of a house in Ban Don Kwang, Chaloem Phra Kiat district.
Alerted to the killing of the puppies, police and members of The Hope Thailand Foundation, which is dedicated to the prevention of cruelty to animals, went to the house yesterday to investigate.
Police questioned the house-owner, ‘Khieu’, who denied killing the puppies, claiming that he had raised the puppies’ mother.
Police then questioned his step son, 28-year-old ‘Tao’, who acted suspiciously and did not cooperate. The police asked him about a blood stain on his shirt, but he claimed it was his own blood. Police did not find any wounds on his body.
A subsequent search of the house uncovered a blood-stained machete and a shovel, which is thought to have been used in the burial carcasses.
Police say that they believe that Tao killed the puppies and attempted to deflect blame onto his step father, because he was angry with him for getting drunk and frequently quarrelling with his mother.
Peeraboon Charoenwai, chair of The Hope Thailand Foundation, said that the suspect is likely to face charges of animal cruelty.
