Uttaradit, Thailand – In a shocking case of extreme neglect, Thai authorities have rescued an eight-year-old boy who was found living among dogs in a drug-ridden home, communicating only through barks instead of human speech.

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The child, whose identity remains protected, was discovered on June 30 during a welfare check at a dilapidated house in Laplae district. Police raided the property after a local schoolteacher raised concerns, finding the boy with his mother, 46, and 23-year-old brother—both of whom tested positive for drug use. Neighbors revealed the family had long been isolated, with the child spending years solely in the company of the household’s six dogs, mimicking their behavior.

Paveena Hongsakul, president of the Foundation for Children and Women, described the heartbreaking scene: “He didn’t speak, just barked. It was pitiful.” Despite his mother receiving government education stipends of 400 baht (approx. $11), she allegedly kept him out of school after enrolling him once. Neighbors avoided the family due to their drug-related reputation, leaving the boy with no human interaction beyond his immediate household.

Thai police rescue eight-year-old boy living with dogs, unable to speak
An eight-year-old boy has been rescued in Thailand after authorities discovered him living among dogs and only able to communicate by barking.

According to Dailymail on Friday, the boy, whose name has been… pic.twitter.com/pZaDnURgNB

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Following the intervention, the child was transferred to a care home where he will receive urgent medical and psychological support. Hongsakul’s foundation has pledged to oversee his education and recovery, emphasizing his right to a normal childhood. “We’ll ensure he gets everything he needs,” she affirmed.

The case echoes rare but tragic instances of “feral children,” such as Ukraine’s Oxana Malaya, who was found living with dogs in 1991 and faced lifelong developmental hurdles. Thai authorities vow to prevent similar long-term trauma, with child welfare services now closely monitoring the boy’s progress.

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His mother faces drug charges, while community members hope the rescue marks a turning point for the child’s future.

-Thailand News (TN)