- Spate of poisonings on the rise as family dog comes close to death from rat bait
- The poisoning was allegedly committed on purpose by neighbours after a spat
- RSPCA has warned dog owners that baitings are increasing in Queensland
A spate of baiting attacks has put pet owners on high alert, as a family dog came close to death after chowing down on meat stuffed with rat poison.
A fight between neighbours over a barking dog in Coolum on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast led to the pet allegedly being poisoned with rat bait.
The dog was rushed to Beachside Veterinary Surgery, and police are now investigating the incident.
A fight between neighbours over a barking dog in Coolum on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast led to the pet allegedly being poisoned with rat bait
Surgery director Dr Dan Capps told Daily Mail Australia the dog was lucky to only have minimal contact with the poison, and it managed to survive.
He said owners should watch out for tremors, vomiting and bleeding from the gums in their pets, which may mean the animal has been poisoned.
Dr Capps said he had heard of other dogs in the area allegedly being poisoned but this was the first pet to be treated for it at the surgery recently.
‘Get to know and communicate with your neighbourhood, and look out for your pets.’
RSPCA spokesman Michael Beatty told the ABC the owner of the dog looked out the window and saw it licking the meat before getting it off the dog just in time.
He said there had been an increase in dog poisonings in Queensland over the last six weeks because of fights over barking pets.
RSPCA spokesman Michael Beatty told the ABC the owner of the dog looked out the window and saw it licking the meat before getting it off the dog just in time
‘It does seem to be on the increase and that is a concern.
‘If it is a barking issue, there are ways you can work towards stopping this while you are out.’