When a dog was injured by a knife thrown at him by an angry man who thought the dog was going to kill and eat his chicken, animal cruelty was undoubtedly involved.
The incident took place this week in Nong Khai and was initially reported by Nong Khai Online News website before it became a media sensation.
According to the report, the one-year-old dog belongs to Jomsri Kampookaew. It was attacked by Khamdee Khotpa, who is a neighbour.
Mr Khamdee alleged that the dog meant to harm his chicken so he threw the knife at him only to chase the animal away. It was just by accident that the knife hit the dog's face, he said. He claimed he had no intention of killing the dog.
The dog, Kankluay, received more than 100 stitches.
Ms Jomsri took the case to the police who duly charged the neighbour under the newly enacted Prevention of Animal Cruelty and Provision of Animal Welfare Act.
Nong Khai police said Mr Khamdee could face a sentence of up to two years in jail and a fine of up to 40,000 baht.
It is supposed to be a lesson for people who harm animals. But not a word was mentioned about responsibility — or lack of responsibility — on the part of the dog owner.
Mr Khamdee is said to be the first man to be tried under the anti-animal cruelty law which came into full effect last month. He vowed he would never hurt any dogs or other animals ever again.
People praised police for their prompt action in quickly arresting the man and holding him accountable for his wrongful, cruel act. The Thai media did not fail to sensationalise the news. Kankluay was just a cute and naughty dog, one of the reports said.
"Cute and naughty?"
This dog, to me, is just a thief and deserves some punishment (not a knife wound that requires more than 100 stitches, though); while his owner is only an irresponsible type who is cashing in on public sympathy.
Kankluay would not have suffered a scratch had he not entered the premises of Mr Khamdee's house. This is a fact. I also suspect it's not first time Kankluay broke into Mr Khamdee's compound.
Another fact that bothers me is that there are so many dog owners who act irresponsibly like the Kampookaews.
In Bangkok, I can say most irresponsible dog owners are those living in shophouses who turn public walkways into open dog pens. Many of these "pet" dogs have the potential to cause a nuisance, if not harm, to the public.
After all, public dog fights on city streets are not unusual here.
Some owners of detached houses with fences are not reluctant to let their pets out to relieve themselves in front of their neighbours' house gates.
This is Thai-style dog raising. And once in awhile we read news of people fighting with each other over undisciplined pets.
So many people just dump their dogs (and cats and other pets) at temples when they become burdensome. They do not feel guilty as they know their animals will not starve as long as they are on the temple grounds in the belief that monks are supposed to show compassion. In doing so, they simply forget that they have no right to pass on their burden to others. Dog poop is a serious issue for temples. Not to mention rabies which is a deadly disease.
Many readers might remember the case of a temple which was fed up with the animal dumping problem last year. It posted a sign urging pet owners to stop dumping their animals on temple premises.
It's these kinds of dog owners who cause the illegal dog trade on our borders to flourish as dog meat is in high demand in neighbouring countries.
There were quite a few raids last year and pictures of poor dogs being trapped in cages always sell. Sympathy, as well as cash donations, poured in to animal shelters.
But this would not have happened if dog owners had acted more responsibly and cared for their animals better.
The money for dog shelters should be used for other causes.
Some may ask what we are supposed to do with the dogs.
Only a few choices are available. We can put them up for adoption; there may be kind donors out there who are willing to keep them; or just put them down, end their suffering and get rid of the social burden. This may sound cruel. But it is practical.
Back to Kankluay. Both the cute and naughty dog and its irresponsible owner need to be disciplined under the new law.
Ploenpote Atthakor is deputy editorial pages editor, Bangkok Post.