Thailand: Monk Arrested Selling Cats Dressed as Tigers

Published : February 23, 2010 :: 14:02:51 [ 3,532 views ]

Thai police have confiscated approximately 200 animal skins from a temple in Thailand's North Eastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima. The abbot had been skinning the animals, believed to be mainly domestic cats and dogs, before dying them to resemble that of a tiger and selling them to the public as religious charms.

Nakhon Ratchasima, 23rd of February 2010 [PDN]: Acting on a tip off from locals who saw a suspicious number of animal skins being dried in Wat Simalai Songdhamma, officers from the Department of National Parks Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) seized 204 animal pelts from a temple in Pak Chong District.

Initially the skins appeared to be those of tigers and other big cats, but closer examination by experts revealed there to be only one leopard skin and five skins from other cat species along with one crocodile skin. The others were found to be dog and cattle skins painted with stripes to resemble tigers.

During questioning, the monks told authorities the skins belonged to the abbot of the temple. He was planning to tattoo the skins with religious writing then sell them on as holy charms. DNP Director Jatuphon Burusaphat said that they did not believe the abbot was working alone and are now looking for his accomplices.

Mr. Jatuphon went on to warn people who like to purchase religious items made from animal remains, that not only is it illegal, it is the end product of cruelty. Also they will be conned as in this case, the pelts were not tiger skins, but from dogs and cows. If you worship them they will not bring good fortune.

With this being the Year of the Tiger, attempts to sell anything to do with tiger parts will increase.

Reporter: Victoria Pollard