Dog baiting: Eight dogs dead in Brisbane attacks

The owners of dogs killed in what appears to be a targeted poisoning attack fear others — including children — could be at risk too.

Jacqueline Parish with Tilly and Kathryn Downey with Archie at New Farm Park yesterday. Picture: Richard Gosling/AAP

AS MANY as eight dogs have been killed in what appears to be a targeted campaign to harm pets in Brisbane’s inner north, with fears they are being baited with rat ­poison.

Analysis of one affected dog’s faecal matter – 40kg dog Pablo, who survived but was ill – has revealed rat poison in his system after playing in Newstead’s Waterfront Park last week.

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Now the owners of dogs killed by a lethal toxin fear others – including children – could be at risk too.

Marianne Ridd’s eight-year-old dog Pattie is believed to have been the first dog to come into contact with a poisoned bait at the park two weeks ago.

“When she died we thought it was just an unexplained, natural cause of death,” Ms Ridd said.

“When the other two dogs presented, our vet called me to say the symptoms were the same – sudden paralysis and rapid decline of respiration into a coma.

“He told me to make sure I informed the police that Pattie was another victim.

“It’s opened up a fresh wound for us knowing that there is a culprit responsible for her death.”

Queensland police have launched an investigation into the poisonings at Newstead and a second case with further fatalities at the New Farm dog park further south.

With the hunt for the perpetrator gathering momentum, Ms Ridd said she feared more fatalities would be uncovered as awareness of foul play grew.

A warning sign at New Farm Park yesterday. Picture: Richard Gosling/AAP

“I was anticipating more fatalities because the initial news was from the local vets,” she said.

“A lot of people from the outer suburbs travel to visit the park and I felt in my bones that more dogs will have been affected, that numbers would slowly increase as they joined the dots.

“That’s what’s happening now. This is murder – if a child picked up the poisoned bait then the charges would be harder.

“I would be most disappointed if the punishment was a rap on the knuckles or a fine.

“I can’t understand the mentality of someone who does this because these are just innocent puppies running around enjoying life.

“I hope the penalties are harsh but I’m not holding my breath in that regard.”

Kylie Caso and her family are regular visitors to the New Farm location and said they would be closely monitoring their pets at the park.

“We’ll be more cautious and keep our dogs on a short lead but we won’t be frightened away,” Ms Caso said.

“You can’t let them impact on your life that way because that’s just letting the bastards win.”