Phuket Dogs Groups Closed for Unregulated Fundraising

PHUKET: Two expats who tried to set up social networks to raise money to help Phuket's soi dogs have been fined and their online sites closed down, says Phuket Livestock Office Director Wirasit Puttipairoj.

''We cannot have people raising money that way without being certain that the cash goes towards helping the animals,'' he told Phuketwan.

''Usually they will take photographs of dogs in bad condition and post those to try to raise money. Organisations seeking to help have to register first.''

He added that Phuket already had two foundations that had approval to raise money to help soi dogs.

''We need to be able to check on how dogs are kept and treated,'' Khun Wirasit said, ''tha's why there are strictly enforced requirements.''

He did say, though, that expats and Burmese workers who bought puppies then left them behind when they moved on in six or 12 months were one of the main causes of dogs being forced to fend for themselves on Phuket.

''At present there are probably 60 or 70 dogs at Wat Tai, near Chalong Circle,'' he said. ''There are another 30 at a temple in Phket Town that is quite popular with tourists.

''Sometimes the visitors get barked at or even bitten.''

Phuket's elephants also come under the care of the Phuket Livestock Office.

''We look after them and try to make sure they are well cared for and healthy,'' he said. ''Mostly they are in very good contition.''

With 188 elephants on Phuket and two more coming for the Siam Niramit show in Phuket City, Khun Wirasit reckons it's time to draw a line on the numbers of animals on the island.

There were two issues, he said, where there was room for improvement.

''Some camps are reported to be walking their elephants along roadways,'' he said. ''This is illegal and quite dangerous for the animals.

''We would also like more camps to follow the lead of others and use only female animals for tourist trips.

''Male elephants are usually ok too but they can grow agitated once a month in musth, so using females is definitely better.''