A police major has surrendered to face charges of shooting and killing a stray dog at a block of police flats in Bangkok last week, saying he drew his gun to protect his pregnant wife.
Pol Maj Wasawat Sukthai, an inspector at the research division of the Office of Policy Strategy, turned himself in at Phahon Yothin police station in Chatuchak district Monday. He admitted shooting two dogs outside his police flat in Lao Yao sub-district on Friday.
One of the dogs died, the other was injured.
Police inspector Wasawat Sukthai turns himself in at Phahon Yothin police station in Chatuchak district yesterday as he admits shooting two dogs, killing one and injuring the other, outside his police flat in Lao Yao subdistrict on Friday. Apichit Jinakul
The incident was shared widely on social media, prompting police to step in.
After surrendering, Pol Maj Wasawat was questioned for 30 minutes at the police station, in the presence of senior police including deputy national police chief Pongsapat Pongcharoen.
The police major offered his apologies over the incident. He claimed about 20 stray dogs in the area had surrounded his wife and were about to attack her on Wednesday, but she managed to escape.
Two days later, the dogs targeted his wife again as they were returning to their flat after a night out together. The dogs appeared vicious and tried to attack his wife, Pol Maj Wasawat said.
He said he lost his temper and fired at them, adding he had to protect his wife and their unborn child, as neighbours had been bitten by some of the same dogs.
Pol Gen Pongsapat said the inspector was charged with animal cruelty, which carries a fine of up to 40,000 baht and a jail term of up to two years.
He was also charged with carrying and firing a gun in a public place without just cause.
His commander will consider disciplinary action later.
Pol Gen Pongsapat also said the inspector would have to cover the 10,000-baht treatment costs of the injured dog, which someone has since adopted.
The deputy national police chief said the police would join state agencies in educating the public about the gravity of the punishments associated with the animal cruelty law which has been in effect since December last year.