SECUNDA – Various local pet owners have reported that their dogs had been poisoned in the past few weeks and there has been an increase in housebreakings as the end of the year approaches.
According to the Secunda 911 Facebook page, these poisonings happened mostly in Sector 3 and 4 in Secunda.
A dog was poisoned in Kommandant Oosthuizen Street on 27 November and the house was burgled.
In an attempt to help residents protect their animals and possessions, Secunda 911 has set up an interactive map on their Facebook page that indicates where poisonings have taken place.
The page administrators also urged residents to report any poisonings or suspicious activities to the police and to be aware of further crime in the area.
According to senior inspector Jenneth Geel from the Highveld Ridge SPCA, there are a few ways to protect your pet against poisoners, but none of them are foolproof.
“Let your pets sleep inside the house and check your garden each morning before you let them out.
“If possible keep animals in a closed off area like the backyard of your house that is not easily accessed from the street during the day.
“Just ensure that they have adequate space to play, fresh food and water and shelter against sun and rain.”
She also warned owners against touching a pet that they suspect has been poisoned.
“The poison that these criminals use is deadly to humans and animals.
“You can die if you touch a poisoned animal.”
The Highveld Ridge SPCA has rescue packs available for sale or you can speak to your veterinarian about the safe handling of a poisoned animal.
These packs include rubber gloves and face masks for the owner, a black plastic bag to cover your car seat if your animal is still alive and a syringe, soluble activated charcoal tablets and a leaflet indicating the dosage for your animal.
The NSPCA is concerned about the poisoning of any mammal, bird or reptile.
Death by poisoning is arguably the most cruel and inhumane way to kill an animal, as these substances cause suffering and are not target-specific.
Criminals often use illegal poisons to maliciously kill dogs before committing another crime such as breaking and entering or motor vehicle theft.
A poisoning incident is a crime and should always be reported to your local police station.
Without the accurate statistics on how widespread the problem is, the police and other enforcement agencies are unable to dedicate time or resources to combating this issue.
All poison cases investigated by the SPCA must be reported to the local police with a request for them to investigate the case and remove any suspected poison residues and bait.
Report any dog poisoning to Secunda Police and to Secunda 911 so the interactive map can be updated.
