Dog poison left out in the open
A youngster stumbles onto a deadly poison on a pathway used by residents of all ages.
JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – The deadly substance that has in recent years taken countless lives, continues to kill guard dogs in various communities.
A teenager found a blue plastic bag in an open space behind homes in a community south of Johannesburg. It contained the poisonous and deadly substance known as two-step, a go-to weapon for criminals who first kill the dog before venturing onto a property.
The substance in the bag was discovered after the festive season. Reasons why it was disposed in the uncut shrubs remain a mystery.
Fortunately, the teenager who found it was aware of what the poison looked like and handled it carefully.
The poison had been there for a couple of days while people passed by unknowingly. It was melted by the rain, but the damage it can cause is expected to be the same as when it is dry.
Residents are warned to avoid direct contact with this deadly poison should they ever come across it dumped in a field or inside their residence. Instead they should take their precautionary measures for personal safety, especially if they should find their canines have already consumed the poison. Here are some preacutions provided by the Special Operations Group (SOG) in Alberton:
*Avoid contact with the animal’s saliva, body fluids or other excretions.
*Cover hands by wearing gloves.
*Be careful if your dog is in distress, it might show signs of aggression.
*Do not put your fingers inside the animal’s mouth as your canine may bite.
Although, people going to work fear they may be attacked in an open space that often remains uncared for by the municipality, it is still used as a quick route to the main road where public transport is accessed.
Many residents in the South say they do not know the symptoms of the poison or how an affected dog behaves.
Symptoms of two-step poison are vomiting/ nausea, salivation, epilepsy, urination, muscle tremors and pupil constriction.
