Shocking discovery: 8-year-old boy raised by dogs, only communicates by barking

In a sad case in northern Thailand, the police found an 8-year-old boy living in a dirty hut with wild dogs. Without any contact with people, the boy learned to bark to talk. The community is shocked by the discovery, and it has brought national attention to the problem of severe child neglect.

How did he end up living like this?

In Northern Thailand, the eight-year-old boy was utterly deprived of social contact after being abandoned by his brother and mother, a 46-year-old drug addict.


His mother and brother didn't care about him, so he grew up alone and pretended to be a dog to make friends.

The boy was found earlier this week when authorities conducted a raid on the dilapidated property and found that he had been living with his mother and brother, both of whom had tested positive for drugs.

How did no one intervene sooner?

Paveena Hongsakul, a child rights activist, had drawn criticism from the school. The local police were notified of the case by the campaigner. The boy "didn't speak, he just barked," according to Paveena.

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Although the boy had never truly gone to school in the traditional sense, his mother had once taken him in to receive a government assistance grant intended for his education.

"His mother hasn't allowed him to go to school since he received a subsidy for free education," Paveena stated in an interview with Khaosod English. She just kept him at home after receiving the money.

Families in the neighborhood banned their children from interacting with the victim because of his mother's actions, and locals reported seeing the mother pleading for food and change.
In the absence of human interaction, he resorted to socialization with the dogs and ultimately began to imitate their actions, as per a report by The Mirror UK.

In a joint operation on June 30, Thailand's Education Ministry and Lap Lae police officers charged the adults with drug use after they failed urine tests.

What happens to the boy now?

The boy was transferred to a children's home in the area. The boy will reportedly have an opportunity to live a decent life and will receive all of the necessary assistance, as per a report by The Mirror UK.

He is now in state custody, and the authorities have promised to help him get better and learn.

FAQs

Why was the boy only barking?
With no proper human interaction and surrounded solely by dogs, he mimicked their behavior in order to communicate.

What is being done to help him right now?
He has been placed in a children's home, and authorities have promised long-term care, education, and follow-up assistance.