In better times, Peep and Tiny were inseparable. The feathered friends would peck at seeds, snooze and go on frolics around the yard together. Neighborhood animals never bothered them, so their chicken mama, Marion Fernandez, let them romp outside when she was home.
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.
The mystery was ultimately solved as many are, with the unblinking eye of a security camera lens. In video surveillance recordings reviewed by Coconuts, Peep can be seen hanging out in the yard when a dog circles around behind him. Peep runs off camera, followed by his pursuer. After several moments, the dog zips through with what appears to be something in its mouth.
Though no price can be put on Peep’s life, she was willing to accept THB5,000 for a replacement chicken from the dog’s owner.
“She just give THB2,000 but he is worth so much more,” Fernandez, who is from Portugal, told Coconuts yesterday.
She said the CCTV led her to the chicken-killing dog’s doorstep.
“Some neighbor kids recognized the dog and showed me the house of the dog owner. It’s a husky,” Marion said. “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.”
Phuket woman offers 10K baht ‘for bring back chicken’
But the woman told her she could not buy her a new chick.
“She feels sorry but she can’t pay me a new chicken,” Fernandez said.
Fernandez originally thought Peep – a costly fancy breed known as a Silkie – had been chickennapped when she issued a public appeal for his return late last month. Finding out that he was already gone – the video was dated Feb. 19 – was the news she feared the worst.
Moreso, because Tiny, her other Silkie, has lost her will to live. She said the two were best friends.
“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 and she doesn’t want to go outside and she doesn’t want to eat or drink,” Fernandez said.
For now, Fernandez only consolation is that she is not alone in her pain. Tiny is reacting to Peep’s loss with much the same grief.
“She just feels lonely and sad because she and Peep did everything together,” Fernandez said. “Play, eat, sleep, …. She also misses him a lot.”
Marion is raising funds for a new chicken, which will cost about THB5,000 (US$150).
RIPeep.
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