Cruel dog owner tapes pets' mouths shut 'to stop them barking'

A cruel dog owner was caught taping her pets' mouths shut - to keep them from attacking passers-by.

Kanyarat Moonsawat, 38, said she muzzles the canines with duct tape and old socks to protect passing tourists in Pattaya, Thailand.

Locals raised concerns about the welfare of the dogs and officials visited the owner.

Footage shows the mutts wandering around the neighbourhood unable to eat or drink while their mouths are sealed.

Kanyarat said: 'It isn't animal cruelty. I do this to prevent these dogs from causing trouble in the area. Many foreign tourists pass through here. It doesn't matter who it is, these dogs will bark at everyone, especially children as they like to chase them.

'I tie up their mouth so that they will not bark, chase, or bite anyone. I tried putting them in muzzles, but they would still bark all night and it disturbed the tourists staying here.'

Kanyarat claimed that she would feed and let the dogs drink before shutting their mouths. She added that the pooches were previously owned by a foreigner who had already left the neighbourhood.

Pattaya authorities investigated the case and consulted veterinarian Apitchaya Thura-ngan after photos and videos emerged online of Kanyarat's dogs wearing duct tape muzzles.

The vet said: 'From the examination, it was found that these dogs are still able to eat and drink water normally. The dog caretaker demonstrated by putting socks on the dogs' mouths as usual and giving them food and milk. They did not show any signs of malnutrition.'

The investigation came amid fears of dog attacks after a student Adisak Chansakulnee, 18, was mauled to death by his brother's pet American Bully dogs at their family home in Lopburi province on August 30.

Cops said there were bite marks on the teen's head and limbs. Part of his skull was 'opened up' and both of his ears were missing.

In March, a housewife nearly lost her arm when she was mauled by a pit bull in Chiang Mai province.

Fon, 30, was visiting a local, Lamduan Boonrit, 68, when the vicious dog, Rod, 10, pounced on her. She was rushed to the Nakornping Hospital for 'serious injuries to the left arm joint'.

While last December, a disabled man was killed in a brutal pit bull attack in Chiang Rai province.

Thong Mai Sung, 64, reportedly had his throat torn out by two savage pit bulls that had escaped from their cage. He was rushed to the Mae Sai Hospital, but succumbed to the grievous injuries.