At least three dogs in Spokane, Wash., have recently died from eating meatballs poisoned with strychnine. According to KOMOnews.com, investigators believe two of the dogs died when they ate meatballs that had been thrown over a fence into their backyard.
Several more meatballs were found on neighborhood streets. Their blue-green tint indicated they contained rat poison, which causes an animal’s organs to hemorrage. The Humane Society of the United States is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the poisonings.
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center offers the following tips for protecting your pets from malicious poisoning.
Be a good neighbor. Don’t allow your dog to have access to your neighbors’ yards and trash cans. If your dog is an incessant barker or howls and whines while you are away, you may want to work with an animal behaviorist or dog trainer to solve the problem. Should your neighbors have concerns, try to address them in a positive, constructive manner to avoid serious conflicts.
Is your dog allowed outdoors in your fenced-in or otherwise secure area? It’s smart to do routine checks of this enclosed area.
Be sure to remove unfamiliar or questionable items from the enclosure.
Supervise your dog when he is outdoors whenever possible. Do not allow your dog to spend significant amounts of time unsupervised outdoors.
Develop relationships with neighbors who have pets. You can join forces to create a neighborhood watch for the companion animals in the area. Be alert for anything out of the ordinary!
Provide a safe, confined area with a secure gate when your dog is left alone outdoors.
Never let your dog run loose or allow him to roam free. Animals who are allowed to roam simply have more opportunities to get into potentially poisonous substances.
Teach your dog not to accept food or treats from strangers.
Report any suspicious behavior to local authorities. Remember, animal cruelty is a crime!
Did you know you might inadvertently poison your own pet with common household products and plants? Here are tips for protecting your dog from these toxins.
If you think your dog has been poisoned, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately at (888) 426-4435.
PHOTO: KOMOnews.com
Tags: ASPCA Poison Control Center, dog poisoning, poisoned meatballs, rat poison, Spokane, strychnine
It’s so sad that there are such malicious people in the world. To our own race and to our animals.
As a professional trainer the advice about how to care for your dog with behavior training is really helpful in this type of situation. Dog owners, just like parents can sometimes tolerate behavior that is driving others around them nuts.
In the end having some boundaries and direction is good for everyone especially the dog who is most likely looking for a good job anyway.
So sorry for the people who lost their beloved dogs to the poison incident. Dog owners unite as the article recommends.
Wag!
In Greece, local governments and others often put down baits to poison stray dogs and cats. It’s regarded as pragmatic. No animal rights at all here.
I will never forget the sound of 50 dogs being poisoned on a local construction site. Their howls and cries went on for 30 minutes, it was awful.
What a backward country.