RE. WHERE HAVE PATONG'S BEACH DOGS GONE THIS "HOLIDAY SEASON"?
This was the subject of a full page investigation by the Phuket News 3 weeks ago. SDF announced it was ceasing holding sterilization clinics in Patong. The Or Bor Tor (Local council) were taking dogs that SDF had sterilized and returned to beach and other locations. They stated that they were removing all the beach dogs and putting in the Government dog pound. Local people went in search of the dogs and told us they were not there. These dogs have lived in the same location for many years and are popular with tourists and beach vendors alike. SDF have sterilized them and vaccinated them and if required remove and treat them when sick or injured. Both SDF and the Phuket News asked the Or Bor Tor where they had put the dogs. They replied that they had taken them to the dog pound which is a clear lie as the dog pound has closed its doors to new dogs and the Head of the Livestock department here, responsible for the pound, confirmed it had taken none of the dogs there. Local people say they are being buried alive. After one call from our staff the person at the other end did not cut the call in error, and our staff could clearly hear arguments in the background and one person stating that that "we should have got our story straight". The Deputy mayor still refuses to tell us or the paper what has happened to them, but they are clearly not alive on Phuket. We suggest that the more people who call the authorities and demand an answer the better. Cannot bring these dogs back but may stop them in future.