Dog Attack and Legal rights of Westerners

[wallgarry9]

I am writing here as I am feeling more and more frustrated by my situation and would appreciate any advice. 3 weeks ago I was attacked by a large dog in my friends village. It attacked as I walked past the owner and replied to his hello. A simple hello and the dog went berserk and mauled my foot badly. The owner took me to hospital and I know I am fortunate that they covered the 30000 baht for injections and initial treatment. Since then I cannot walk well as the wound became infected twice, had 2 surgeries and many expensive treatments. The hospital in Bangkok said it was ok to travel to Chiang mai as I had business there. Whilst there I had most of the hospital treatment, could not walk very well, spent 2 weeks in bed, loss of holiday and cost me another 17000 in bills. Apart from the daily pain and inconvenience my main reason for writing here is for advice now on what I can do in terms of reporting this incident, who to talk with and what rights I May have.

The reason is although the owner seems willing to pay me my 17000 baht back he seems a very arrogant and irresponsable man. Last night he called drunk driving demanding that we meet and sort this thing out, that he is my elder ( he has worked 33 years in the Thai navy which might complicate matters)

My main concern is that the dog will attack again and someone else will have to go through this. I met with him last night and he was drunk and jokey, making light of it all until I showed the photographs. He told me his dog has bitten people many times before but that he is a good man and pays each time. So understandably i am angry as its not as he calls it an accident. I said his dog is a danger and he should keep it locked up as it attacked me just for saying hello in reply to him and if a dog is so aggressive for just that its dangerous. The night it happened my friends were witnesses and said he was standing in the village drinking beer as his dog roamed free with a large chain on its neck. I am very angry and could vent more here but wont.

Money issues aside I was hoping someone might have some good advice on courses of action or proper channels to take as I feel that due to his irresponsability and subsequent disregard for the seriousness of the situation he does not take this at all seriously. Also he does not seem to care that it will do it again. Thankyou

[cisco]

i like dogs but i detest irresponsible dog owners.

This owner is a little different in that he recognizes he has a vicious animal on his hands.



Sorry I have no advice to offer and can wish you good luck.

[Silaworld]

Wallgarry,

I think you know what people in other countries would do, if a seemingly irresponsible neighbour has a dangerous dog and proper authorities do not take their responsibility...
Right!

[benp]

what is the point in owning a dog if you dont feed it or care for it? in our village people own loads of dogs but hardly ever feed them, consequently they roam the streets and other peoples properties in search of something to eat. they leave a mess wherever they go and we have to clean it up! my next door neighbour once had seven, repeat seven dogs, three of them were puppies who constantly whined and barked all day and night. i really dont know what it is with thai people but barking dogs dont seem to phase them at all! plays havoc with my nights sleep though!
maybe a dog licence would deter those irresponsible owners!