Dog poisoning spree hits city’s residential areas
Owners shouldn't try and sort out the problem themselves, especially if it is a strong poison.
At least 12 dogs have been killed in the city by poisoning in the past few weeks.
Dr De La Rey Brugman of Van Wijk Street Animal Hospital said pet owners who notice a change in their animal’s behaviour should take it to the vet immediately.
“If possible, owners shouldn’t try and sort out the problem themselves, especially if it is a strong poison,” Brugman said.
He added that residents should check the garden regularly for any suspicious food items.
SPCA Nelspruit investigator, Ms Marcell Hoffman, said criminals use Temic, Rattex and broken glass in food to poison and kill dogs.
She usually advised people to keep their dogs inside at night to help their chances of survival.
“They do not just target the house they want to rob, but the neighbours as well. They will poison all the dogs in a street so they don’t alert you when they want to rob you,” Hoffman said.
She added that people should not leave their garages open, exposing expensive items like boats and jet skis.
Hoffman confirmed on Monday that the organisation had also reported dog poisonings in Barberton and White River. The areas targeted over the past two weeks in Mbombela have been Cussons, Jeanine and Hunter streets and the R40 towards Barberton.
One of the residents in Jeanine Street said last Friday and Saturday about four houses in their street had been targeted. “They only broke into the one house and stole a TV, but they poisoned a lot of the neighbours’ dogs, including three small ones. Some managed to get to the vet on time.”
Hi-Tech Security Nelspruit response manager, Mr Callum MacPherson, said after they responded to so many incidents, he decided to help save the lives of the animals which were being poisoned.
MacPherson came up with an idea of creating a basic emergency kit which would help slow down the effects of the poison.
“This treatment is not aimed to treat the affected pets. Anyone who suspects theirs have been poisoned should immediately go to their vet.
Our control room can assist by contacting the veterinarians’ emergency number to mobilise them.
We are just trying to help to prevent more deaths.
“It is very important that if you suspect your pet has been poisoned, do not delay, get to a veterinarian as these poisons act extremely quickly. The warning signs include: body tremors (extreme shivering), diarrhoea, dilated pupils and extreme salivating.
Avoid touching your pet with bare skin, and wrap it in a blanket to transport it to the vet.
After-hour vet services contact numbers for Mbombela
• West Acres Vet: 082-455-4595
• Van Wijk Street Vet: 082-441-7084
• Central Vet: 073-636-1989
• The Vets @ 66: 063-603-0301.
