During last month’s community-policing forum meeting, police shared their suspicions that thieves were targeting pets at residences with expensive vehicles. Pets are poisoned to prevent them from raising alarm if strangers approach the property.
Owners whose pets have fallen victim to poisonings are urged to report the case at the police station, as well as the local SPCA. The inspector will also be able to inform community members on the various procedures to report such a crime. The information will enable police to determine the scope of the problem and establish a possible motive.
If your pet is acting strangely, check for signs of poisoning like:
• foaming at the mouth
• excessive drooling
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• breathing difficulty
• paralysis.
If one or more of these signs are present to a concerning degree, consult your local veterinarian.
Contact with the animal could lead to you being poisoned, thus it’s advised to wrap it in a blanket when handling. This will also help keep it warm and comfortable.
If your animal has been poisoned, get it to a vet as soon as possible as the most-commonly used poisons spread fast.
If your pet has been treated, keep them under constant watch for any further symptoms.
Read more:
Dog poisonings during burglaries increasing
Residents at their wits’ end with dog poisoning
Vet’s advice on how to treat poisoned pets
Check your yard regularly for suspicious substances (like meat with small poisonous granules in it) and clean them immediately if found.
Measures to take in case you do find poison:
Make sure that children and pets are kept away from the contaminated area and use protective clothing when cleaning up the poison.
Dispose of the soil and animal’s vomit or diarrhoea in a plastic bag and incinerate it or bury it in a deep hole away from any water sources. Cement or paving should be scrubbed and washed with dishwashing liquid and the lawn should be mowed to pick up any loose granules. Make sure the contaminated water does not run into the public water or sewerage systems.
To report a case of dog poisoning, contact the police station on 013-751-1471 or 013-751-6000, or the Lowveld SPCA’s White River branch on 013-750-0240 or for emergencies on 082-755-8687.
