An 8-year-old boy is recovering after authorities rescued him from an unsafe living environment, in which he was surrounded by a handful of dogs and found unable to speak.

An English version of Khaosod, a Thai newspaper, reported officials rescued the child, publicly identified only as “A,” from Thailand’s Uttaradit province on Monday, June 30.

He had been living In a ramshackle wooden home with his 46-year-old mother and 23-year-old brother, who both struggled with drug addiction, along with six dogs, according to the outlet.

“He didn’t speak, he just barked,” said Pawina Hongsakul, president of the Pawina Hongsakul Foundation for Children and Women, a group that helped with the rescue, per The Thaiger. “It was pitiful to see.”

Authorities launched the rescue operation in response to a report from a local school principal, according to Khaosod. He is now being cared for at the Uttaradit Children’s Home, and his relatives are facing charges related to drug use.

There are conflicting reports about his level of education, but he did not appear to be regularly attending school at the time officials saved him.

“The boy will be given a chance at a good life,” said Hongsakul, per The Thaiger. “We’ll follow up with him to make sure he gets everything he needs.” (PEOPLE, excluding headline)