Tragedy at Temple
Joy & Sandy along with the students at Prem Center in Mae Rim, had just got started with their Hand to Paw Outreach program when tragedy has dealt them an awful blow.
This is an account written by Joy of the distressing situation at Wat Nong Pla Mun.
Please beware of the upsetting content of this awful incident.
June 11, 2009 – This day marks a truly sad day for all of us at Care for Dogs, the students and co-coordinators of the Hand to Paw Outreach program and the monks at Wat Nong Pla Mun with the sudden loss of Mama, shot 3 times by an un-known villager and left to bleed to death. Not only did Mama lose her life, but Star was also brutally hit with a heavy object strong enough to break her shoulder blade. She is now convalescing at Care for Dogs.
In summary, we all had what sadly came to be a false sense of security for these 12 dogs, suddenly opening our eyes once again to the reality of street dogs and their daily struggle for survival.
One starts a project like this with simple hopes, e.g. get the dogs vaccinated, get the girls sterilized, de-tick, bath, kiss and cuddle as often as time will allow. One forgets that animal cruelty in all its ugly forms lies in the shadows for all these dogs every minute of every day.
Mama, as we all came to know her as she not only was the matriarch of the temple; she also spent a fair bit of time at the Care for Dogs shelter. Mama had recently given birth to a small brood of still born pups (therefore her name), soon after vaccinated by the Hand to Paw Outreach and later driven across town for her sterilization and convalescing at Care for Dogs. What was to be a one week visit turned into one month as Mama was diagnosed with e-canis. She seemed to lap up every minute of care and kindness that was given to her during this time as Khun Grib commented, “I don’t think she wants to leave”!
Finally, re-homed at the temple with all her mates, she seemed thrilled and back to her old self; strong and secure in her own environs and warmly welcomed by the monks. Sadly, this lasted but 5 days when she was brutally killed. At this time, the monks and villagers do not know who did these cruel and cowardly acts against Mama and Star.
Both Mama and Star were kind and gentle dogs, no threat to people at all. We will continue to look into this matter until we are assured of the safety of the remaining 11 remaining dogs at the temple.
A poignant ending to this day was the 8 students from The Prem’s Hand to Paw Outreach gathered at the temple to come and care for the other dogs. Not only were the students educated into the harsh realities of the temple dogs, but a stronger bond seemed to grow between them and the dogs as they saw that “yes” it was up to them to make a difference.
– Joy Huss
“The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but tobe indifferent to them. That’s the essence of inhumanity.”
— George Bernard Shaw
Category: Wat Nong Pla Mon
Tagged as: anger, evil, george bernard shaw, hate, killed, murdered, Sterilisation
And there is no law against it… I grow more bitter by the day.
A lady dropped by on her way to Chiang Mai some two weeks ago and left bags with blankets and towels to be delivered at a local shelter. She was so disturbed by the legislation in the UK and the lack of gratitude by people in this country. I sure understand where she is coming from and having myself withstood the scrutiny from our ‘officials’ who accused me of being a thief, after a dog was dropped at my home, a stray, which I felt determined to reunite with her owners. Never mind the insults thrown at me, my patience, being a Buddhist did help, I believed the dog to be 11 maybe 12. She came from a good home, her coat was silky and her behaviour towards the other animals was impeccable. She had not lost her dog manners, which suggested that she obviously grew up with other dogs. She stayed with me approx 12 days when a call came through from a distressed owner and after checking the markings, it was sure ‘little Beauty’ was hers. Reuniting this dog was a miracle. She furthermore was 18 years old. In the UK if I had given in, after 7 days, they put dogs down, if they cannot be rehomed. At my home little Beauty was happy, but still, I saw her yearning, like a mother looking for her pups and knew she was so anxious to go home. We used the old fashioned technique of posters and cards. On returning home, her family dog had given birth to 9 pups and the owner was over the moon. She was afraid that little Beauty had curled up somewhere to die. They just moved and the dog escaped. I am a member on Facebook and like to introduce your shelter and good work to the UK people I know. I am familiar with the Thai ways and am delighted to find your site. Buddha connects all the good people.
Dear God! I can’t believe this happened to Mama. Her story made my tear drops. Where is animal rights in this country?
Thank you Patch and also Mercia for your comments. The reality ever present to people who come into contact with our work is often shocking. Through hard work and determination along with growing support from people like you, we hope to increase the awareness of animal welfare education within society.