Thai police have rescued an eight-year-old boy who had reportedly been living in isolation with dogs and was unable to speak or communicate like a typical child his age. Authorities discovered the boy in a remote rural area in the northeastern province of Bueng Kan after receiving reports from concerned neighbors.
When officers arrived, they found the child living in a makeshift shelter surrounded by several stray dogs. He appeared malnourished, unwashed, and showed clear signs of neglect. According to rescuers, the boy walked on all fours at times and responded to sounds more like an animal than a human. He did not speak, make eye contact, or exhibit any signs of having received formal care or education.
Locals told police that the child had been seen wandering around with the dogs for years but that they assumed he was being looked after by someone. However, deeper investigation revealed he had been abandoned or severely neglected, possibly since he was a toddler. The dogs appeared to be his only companions, and he mimicked their behaviors for survival.
Medical professionals and child psychologists are now involved in his care. The boy has been taken to a hospital for evaluation, where doctors say he is physically stable but deeply traumatized. Experts believe he may have a long road to recovery, requiring intensive therapy, speech training, and socialization.
Police have launched an investigation to determine who is responsible for the child’s condition and how he ended up in such an environment. Authorities are considering charges against possible caretakers, though no arrests have been made as of yet.
The case has shocked the nation and drawn comparisons to real-life “feral child” stories. Thai social services have vowed to provide the boy with long-term care and support. Efforts are underway to find him a safe foster home where he can begin the slow process of healing and learning to live as a child again.
