Owners warn people to be careful of rat poison after dog baited
WHEN Frodo’s owners would come home, he’d always be at the door to greet them. So when he failed to show this month, they knew straight away that something was wrong. Now they want to warn others.
A FAMILY has been left devastated after its cavalier king charles spaniel died, believed to have been baited.
Frodo, almost two years old, died on February 4, after ingesting what is believed to be rat poison.
His owner Ashleigh Wilson, from Wynnum in Brisbane’s bayside, said there was no rat bait kept on their property and wanted owners to be aware of the dangers.
“We went out about 6pm and arrived home about 9pm and Frodo didn’t come and meet us at the door like usual, “ Ms Wilson said.
“I had to go outside and find him. He was laying down and he was having trouble standing and walking, only taking a couple of steps and then falling over.”
Frodo was taken to Manly Road Veterinary Hospital, but he deteriorated.
“He was put on life support and we were told his symptoms were likely rat bait. He died about 12.30pm.
“We would never want anything to happen to someone else’s pet.”
Dr Sharon Whitfield, from the vet hospital, said if caught early enough, poisoning could be treated, but treatment took a minimum of 28 days to work.
“Rat bait prevents the blood from clotting and depletes the animal’s body of vitamin K,” she said.
She said symptoms included pale gums, bruising and blood in urine or faeces.
RSPCA Queensland spokesman Michael Beatty said if someone was caught deliberately poisoning animals, they could be charged with animal cruelty — facing a maximum jail term of three years or a $20,000 fine.
Wynnum police Acting Senior Sergeant Mark Young said people could report suspected baiting to police.
Originally published as Owners warn people to be careful of rat poison after dog baited