Dogs on the runway ! (message for Captain Doepka)
Steps to keep dogs from BIA runways
Bangkok International Airport (BIA) has mapped out measures to prevent stray dogs from interfering with runway traffic, including repairing runway fences and a personnel ban against bringing dog food into the workplace.
The problem of stray dogs roaming the runway has become a safety concern following reports that some pilots had to delay the landing of their aircraft until the runway was cleared of dogs, airport director Pradit Monkolapiban said yesterday.
"The airport's control tower would receive occasional messages from inbound pilots that dogs were on the runway. They would refuse to land their aircraft for fear of hurting the dogs," an airport official said.
The stray dogs have claimed a nearby golf course, located on the eastern side of runway, as their home as they could feast on left-over food at the clubhouse, the official said.
Because the runway fence was in a state of disrepair, these dogs could cross over and roam onto the runway, he said.
Some airport workers may also have been bringing food for the dogs, showing a gesture of kindness but misleading the dogs to believe they are welcome in that territory, he said.
Bangkok chief veterinarian Chuchart Saichua said his office was prepared to assist in relocating the stray dogs if requested by the airport.
The city administration has two facilities to house stray dogs pending adoption. Private charities also run two other facilities.
The city has a population of more than 100,000 stray dogs.
In a separate development, Buri Ram Airport yesterday issued a ban on villagers bringing their cattle to graze near its runway.
Benjawan Somsin