Phuket woman’s desperate search for beloved chicken ends with hungry dog | Coconuts

*The Phuket woman is coming to terms with the less of one of her beloved silkie chickens after her week-long search for Peep ended where it began – on her own property.*

Published: 2026-03-14 17:56 UTC Event date: developing

A Phuket resident’s search for her missing pet chicken came to a heartbreaking end this week, after security camera footage revealed the bird had fallen victim to a neighbour’s dog on her own property.

Marion Fernandez, originally from Portugal and now living in Phuket, spent more than a week searching for her prized Silkie chicken, Peep, who vanished from her yard late last month. Fernandez, who often let Peep and his companion Tiny roam freely under her supervision, initially feared the bird had been stolen after issuing a public appeal for its return.

The mystery was resolved when Fernandez reviewed CCTV footage from her home. The video showed Peep in the yard when a husky, identified as a neighbour’s pet, entered the property. The footage captured Peep running off camera, pursued by the dog, who later reappeared with a small object in its mouth. The recording, dated February 19, confirmed Fernandez’s worst fears.

With the help of local children who recognised the dog, Fernandez was able to locate the owner. “Some neighbor kids recognized the dog and showed me the house of the dog owner. It’s a husky. Normally he is never running outside. Every street dog or cat is kind to my chickens, that’s why I let them play outside when I’m home,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez requested THB5,000 (about US$150) from the dog’s owner to replace Peep, reflecting the market value of the rare Silkie breed. However, she received only THB2,000 and says the dog’s owner expressed regret but could not afford to pay more. “She feels sorry but she can’t pay me a new chicken,” Fernandez explained.

The loss has also affected Tiny, Peep’s companion, who now refuses to eat or go outside. “I know money can not bring Peep back, and no other chicken can replace him. But I have another chicken named Tiny and she is so sad and depressed,” Fernandez said, adding that Tiny and Peep were inseparable.

Incidents like this highlight the challenges faced by pet owners in Phuket, where free-roaming animals are common in residential areas. The event has prompted Fernandez to raise funds for a new Silkie chicken, hoping to lift Tiny’s spirits and restore some normalcy to her household.

As pet ownership rises on the island, local residents are reminded to secure their animals and be mindful of interactions between pets. For now, Fernandez continues to care for Tiny, while considering the best way forward after the loss.

Source: https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/phuket-womans-desperate-search-for-beloved-chicken-ends-with-hungry-dog/