Dog death roll rises to eight, 1080 poison in meat revealed as killer

Four more dogs are believed to have died after ingesting a poison used for controlling wild pests while playing in inner Brisbane parks. But locals are refusing to cower from the threat of dog baiters.

Eight dogs are now believed to have died after ingesting poisons hidden in meat in inner-Brisbane parks this week but dog owners are refusing to cower from the threat of dog baiters.

Analysis of one affected dog’s faecal matter has revealed that 1080 poison was present in the animal’s system after playing in Newstead’s Waterfront Park last week.

The poison, also known as sodium fluoroacetate, is used to control fox and wild dog populations.

At least four dogs have been poisoned at that park while more cases have been reported at the neighbouring New Farm dog park further south.

Kylie and Ventura Caso, baby Angelina and dogs Basil (L) and Jove will not be frightened away by the attacks against dogs. Picture: AAP/Richard Gosling

Kylie Caso and her family are regular visitors to the New Farm location and said the spate of attacks would not change that.

“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 b------s win.”

Ms Caso said her initial reaction was to grieve for the loss of the families affected but a deep seated anger burned at the desecration of what should have been a safe environment.

New Farm Park was covered in warnings for dog owners to be mindful after a spate of poisonings. Picture: AAP/Richard Gosling.

“That someone would use a public space to attack families and dogs makes me angry because these places are just so precious to families,” she said.

“What could possibly compel someone to inflict that suffering on an animal? Especially when it takes place in a public space like a park, it really pisses you off.”

Brisbane’s popular Waterfront Park searched after up to 4 dogs baited

Visitors to the park observed that around 10 per cent of the usual weekend crowd had risked visiting with their pets this week as the death toll rises.

“Usually you’d see 20 or 30 dogs at any time on weekends but when I arrived today there were only three,” dog owner Kathryn Downey said.

New Farm Park’s off leash area was nearly deserted on Sunday as the death toll of poisoned dogs rises. Picture: AAP/Richard Gosling.

“It’s a really popular place with a lovely community atmosphere of welcoming and friendship, but these cruel, nasty people have taken that away.

“Our dogs are part of our family so by murdering them they are attacking people’s families.”

Jacqueline Parish said she had brought her dachshund Tilly to the park in spite of the warnings in the hope that others would be encouraged to return as well.

Jacqueline Parish with Tilly and Kathryn Downey with Archie hope their presence will inspire the community to return to the park after multiple dogs were poisoned. Picture: AAP/Richard Gosling

“When I arrived this morning and there was no one in here I nearly didn’t come in,” she said.

“But you can’t live in fear, can you? You’ve got to get back out there.

“I thought maybe if there were people here then others would feel more confident to come in with their dogs.”