Tawee claims self defence for shooting stray dog in public
AN ELDERLY former deputy minister yesterday pleaded for understanding after a picture of a blood-spattered dead stray dog went viral on the Internet, saying he had to shoot the animal to stop it from attacking him.
“I’m already 78 years old. With three dogs chasing after me and my leg bitten, I had to pull out my gun in self defence,” Tawee Kraikupt said.
He showed up at the Suan Phueng Police Station in Ratchaburi to face charges of carrying and firing a gun in public and animal cruelty.
He said he was saddened by the event and would like to apologise to animal lovers.
The incident occurred on Monday morning and the picture of the dog quickly appeared online with a message identifying Tawee as its killer.
A conviction would see him serve up to five years in prison and/or fined a maximum of Bt10,000 for the gun-related offences.
Animal cruelty is punishable by up to two years in jail and/or a maximum fine of Bt40,000.
“I had the gun that day because I was carrying a lot of cash. I was on my way to deposit more than Bt300,000 in a bank. I thought it might be useful in protecting my property,” Tawee said.
He told police that he decided to stop at a convenience store but shortly after leaving his vehicle, a dog attacked him and several other dogs followed the leader.
“Many dogs lunged at me. So I got back into my vehicle, grabbed my gun and fired it,” he said.
After he fired his gun, the other dogs ran away, he said.
“These dogs were aggressive. I think they might’ve been starving,” he said.
His daughter, Pareena, separately said Tawee had been bitten several times.
“He tried to shoo those dogs away. But when he waved his hand, it was bitten.
“When he tried to kick those dogs away, a dog bit his leg. When he tried to run away, his thigh was bitten,” she said.
Describing herself as a dog lover, Pareena said she understood the feelings of people who now were condemning her father.
“But while I feel sorry for the dog, I feel sorry for my dad even more,” she said.
Tawee now needs rabies and tetanus shots, the family said.
Pakapon Lekthamai, superintendent of Suang Phueng Police Station, said Tawee had fired five shots at the dog.
“But he insists that he really had no intention to kill it,” Pakapon said.
Tawee is a veteran of Thai politics. He was deputy transport minister in the Chuan Leekpai administration and in recent years he has been affiliated with the Pheu Thai Party.
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