Cases of Dog Poisoning Are on the Rise

Dog poisoning has become frighteningly common in recent years, with many countries recording a marked increase in reported cases. Poisoning is an extremely serious matter, and has caused the deaths of many beloved family pets.

Dog poisoning: how is it done?

No one knows exactly how this toxic “trend” began. In most cases, people simply leave poisoned food on the ground with the aim of attracting unsuspecting animals.

Reports of poisoned sausages and steak found in popular dog-walking spots have been pouring in from countries around the world. Their only aim: to kill as many animals as possible.

Many reject the idea that these pet poisoners are acting in revenge, fed up of public places smelling of pee, or angry at owners who don’t pick up after their pets. Whatever their supposed “reasons”, taking an animal’s life in such a cruel way is inexcusable.

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way it treats its animals.

-Gandhi-

Dog poisoning is on the rise

Since the first cases of dog poisoning made the headlines, there has been a wave of similar cases around the world, in some sort of terrible fashion trend.

Mexico, Chile, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Australia, China, the UK, and the US have together reported thousands of cases of attempted poisoning. Many owners have taken to walking their pets in muzzles, in the hope of preventing them from eating food off the floor.

We, like many people, don’t want to hear that any more animals have died as a result of poisoning. But what can be done to put a stop to it? Unfortunately, it seems that not even the authorities have the answer.

What to do if your pet has been poisoned

If your pet has been poisoned, or there has been an attempted poisoning (either against your pet or someone else’s) there are several things you can do. By taking action, you will be doing your bit to help put an end to dog poisoning.

Gather evidence

The first thing you need to do is keep a watchful eye out for any strange behavior, such as someone leaving food around parks or popular dog-walking spots. If you notice something suspicious, take photos, and collect samples of the food.

Next, go to the police station, make a report, and hand over any evidence you’ve collected. It doesn’t matter if there have been any victims or not. There’s normally only one person responsible for poisonings in a particular area, and your work will be instrumental in identifying them.

Taking samples

It’s all too easy for animals to ingest toxic substances. Dogs will often eat anything and everything they find while out on a walk. Some poisons are so virulent that even the smallest doses can be fatal, so it’s important to be vigilant.

Symptoms of poisoning in dogs can vary greatly. The most common symptoms include vomiting, rigidity, convulsions, nausea, and disorientation. Everything depends on the dog, and the quantity of poison they have ingested.

If you think your dog has been poisoned, try to get a sample – not just for the police, but for the vet. Seek veterinary attention as soon as possible, making sure you take the sample with you. This will help them determine the poison, and the best course of treatment to follow.

How to prevent pet poisoning

Here are 4 simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of pet poisoning:

• Don’t let your dog eat food it finds in the street. If your dog is still young, you’ll need to keep a particularly close eye on it, or you can use a muzzle to stop it from eating food off the ground.
• If you receive threats from a neighbor, take evidence to the police.
• Teach your pet to only accept food you give it.
• If you suspect your pet has eaten poisoned food, seek veterinary attention immediately.

If we all do our part, we can help put an end to dog poisoning once and for all. Remember, there is no valid excuse for what these people do. If everyone keeps a close eye out, and makes sure to clean up after their pets, we might be able to help and defuse the situation.