Thai Boy Raised by Dogs Starts Barking After Years of Neglect

An 8-year-old boy from Uttaradit province in Thailand, who was neglected by his family, has started barking to communicate after spending most of his time with dogs. The case came to light after the school principal in the Lap Lae area reported the situation to Paveena Hongsakul, the head of the Thailand Foundation for the Protection of Children and Women.

Neglect and Isolation
The principal revealed that the boy’s mother had brought him to school only once to apply for social welfare benefits but did not enroll him. The child had never attended kindergarten and was emotionally abandoned, finding comfort only in a group of stray dogs. Over time, he began barking instead of speaking like a human.

Family’s Drug Addiction
An investigation conducted with the police revealed that the boy’s 46-year-old mother and 23-year-old brother were drug addicts, spending all their time and energy on securing their next dose. According to neighbors, the mother frequently begged for money and food, but people in the community avoided the family due to their addiction. As a result, other children refused to play with the boy, leaving him to spend his time with dogs.

Placed in Protective Care
The boy, identified only as “A” to protect his identity, has been placed in the Uttaradit Children’s Home, as reported by Thailand’s Khaosod newspaper. Experts at the facility will work to teach him how to communicate with humans again and ensure he receives an education.