Suspected puppy killer skips summons

A Mahidol University medical student accused of drugging his Pomeranian puppy to death has yet to answer the police summons, apparently to avoid questioning by investigators.

A summons ordering the suspect to acknowledge the charge of animal cruelty was issued on Wednesday, but “he has not yet contacted us”, Pol Maj Mongkhon Khupsiri, Pho Klang police inspector in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Muang district, said yesterday.

Phattarapong Songsapkul, identified as a sixth-year medical student at Mahidol University, is suspected of killing his Pomeranian, allegedly by giving the pet several blood pressure pills on its way to an animal hospital in Nakhon Ratchasima early this month.

According to an initial investigation, he allegedly committed the wrongdoing to claim insurance coverage.

“We’ll give him seven days to report to us,” Pol Maj Mongkhon said.

If Mr Phattarapong still fails to show up, the second summons will be issued, giving him another seven days to report to police.’’

The officials will ask the court to issue a warrant for his arrest if he fails to follow the order.

The summons was sent to both Chok Chai police station as well as Mr Phattarapong’s house in Chok Chai district.

The accusation against Mr Phattarapong has caused his university to suspend him.

Prasit Watanapa, dean of Mahidol University’s faculty of medicine at Siriraj Hospital, said earlier the university has decided to suspend the student until inquiries by the faculty and police are concluded.