Esther Salifu
In a shocking discovery, Thai authorities rescued an 8-year-old boy who had been living with dogs and communicating only by barking. The child was found in a drug-infested house in Uttaradit Province, where he had been isolated from the community and forced to live among the family’s six dogs.
The boy’s mother and brother tested positive for drug use, and neighbors reported that the family had been shunned by the community due to their behavior. Despite receiving government stipends for his education, the boy had only attended school once.
Thanks to the swift action of a headteacher who raised the alarm, the boy was rescued and taken into care. He will now receive medical and psychological support, and will be able to attend school with the help of a local activist group.
This highlights the tragic consequences of neglect and isolation, but also offers hope for the boy’s future. As one activist noted, “The boy will be given a chance at a good life. We’ll follow up with him to make sure he gets everything he needs.”
