BANGKOK: A female Labrador retriever considered overweight to be a military dog fetched 120,000 baht (US$3293) in an auction held in Korat on Saturday (July 6).
Named Hilma (pic), the Labrador wasn't the only one as the Military Dog Centre in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Pak Chong district put six Labrador retrievers, 30 German shepherds and 18 Belgian Malinois under the hammer.
The auction of military dogs is a regular event held by the army. The dogs auctioned off are typically those that are deemed not suitable for service because of age, health, or temperament. They are typically sold to civilians or organisations that can provide them with a good home.
Hilma was deemed not suitable for military service because it was too fat, officials said. A civilian named Kesanee Crosskerrie won the bid for Hilma by offering 120,000 baht.
Kesanee said she travelled from the Netherlands with her daughter to participate in the auction on behalf of her sister. She said she was familiar with Hilma because she had entered the centre to play with the dog dozens of times. – The Nation/ANN
