A family in Thailand had a close call after their pet dog unknowingly carried a live grenade into their home after mistaking it for a toy.
The incident happened in the Non Khun district of Sisaket province, in northeastern Thailand.
According to a Facebook post by the Sisaket Provincial Public Relations Office on Jul. 10, the dog wandered outside to play before returning home with what appeared to be a rusty round object in its mouth.
The dog's owner, Rungnapa Dawta (transliteration), only realised the danger after he picked up the object and found that the grenade's safety pin was still attached.
The owner had just returned home from the hospital to rest when he discovered the grenade.
He immediately placed the grenade outside his home and alerted his village's community leaders and the authorities.
According to the post, Dawta's elderly relative had thought the object was an old bone or scrap of plastic.
They added that the pet dog had been playing and chewing on the object since morning.
The homeowner said he could not have imagined what might have happened if the dog pulled the pin or dropped it hard enough, reported Khaosod English.
The Non Khun district's sheriff, Chaiwat Thammawat (transliteration), and other police officers inspected the area after being informed of the incident.
They later confirmed that the grenade was a Chinese-made Type 82-2 hand grenade.
While the bomb was old, it was still in working condition and was commonly found along the border.
It was later safely transported and detonated in a field far from the village, resulting in a crater that was approximately 30 cm deep and 60 cm wide with no injuries or property damage.
According to Khasod English, Thammawat called the incident an important warning, especially for Thai citizens living in areas where old military supplies and ammunition could be found.
He urged those who encountered suspected explosives or military objects to avoid touching or moving them and to inform the authorities immediately.