Pet lovers warned after chihuahua dies of suspected dog bait

Two dogs have died after suspected baiting at a park in central Brisbane, with a vet describing one case as the ‘worst deterioration he’d ever seen’, and now worried residents are asking council to step in.

TWO dogs have died after playing at the same inner city Brisbane park, terrifying pet-owners that a spate of dog-baiting is targeting local dogs.

At 1am this morning, Teresa Griffo and her family made the heart-wrenching decision to have their dog euthanised after what vets told her, was “one of the worst deterioriations he’d ever seen” just eight hours after playing at Waterfront Park at Newstead.

“They said it was definitely something Berlin had ingested but they just don’t know what,” she said.

“I just don’t want anyone else to go through this, it’s awful.”

Teresa Griffo's dog Berlin. Picture: Facebook

Kiody.

In a post on social media, Ms Griffo warned Newstead and New Farm dog owners to be alert.

“Please be vigilant with your dogs in this neighbourhood, apparently there are baits everywhere,” she said.

It comes just three days after Newstead’s Jones family were forced to euthanase their beloved pet after another suspected baiting at Waterfront Park.

Owner Kellie Jones was “devastated” her chihuahua cross corgie Kiody was the victim of a suspected baiting.

“Between 2 and 4 on Sunday she was at the park but come Monday morning she started to get really wobbly in the legs and then paralysis set in by lunchtime from her neck down.”

“She was at the vets in Teneriffe and transferred to Stafford Vetinary Hospital later than night.” she said.

But on Tuesday morning she still wasn’t making any progress, and then her organs started failing, her lungs and heart went, she was resuscitated but we ended up having to euthanise her.”

Ms Jones spent more than $3500 on toxicology reports to discover what had caused her otherwise healthy pet’s death but Kiody tested negative for snake, tick and other bites and a range of known toxins.

“Whether she’s eaten something on the grass or in the bushes we don’t know what it was. It wasn’t anything in our apartment — we have no toxins here. It’s definitely very suspicious.”

Meat was reportedly found scattered across New Farm park yesterday, but a Brisbane City Council spokesperson said this was not the case.

Dog lover Stacey Connolly, 35 said she couldn’t fathom “how anyone could be so evil” after hearing about Kiody’s death.

“What are they achieving by doing some so cruel to a harmless animal.”

“I’ve been warning people as I walk around to be careful about what they’re dogs might eat, and telling them the story.”

“You should be able to take your dog for a walk in your suburb without expecting something like that, it’s really affected me, I feel like I can’t take Eddie out for a walk now, but I can’t not.”

A community Instagram account featuring dogs of New Farm, posted about the “devastating” death of Kiody.

“It’s a truly devastating thing to post about, and we wish we didn’t have to pass on this warning to others with dogs. However, we feel obliged to inform you all that this has happened and urge you to please be careful when taking your fur babies for walks in the area,” the post said.

“Don’t let them eat anything off the ground, as there are soulless individuals out there who wish to do your dogs harm.”

‘Devastated’ locals will gather at Waterfront Park this afternoon at 4pm in a bid to find the suspected dog bait that is believed to have killed two dogs in just days.

Concerned residents have urged their local councillor Vicki Howard to act, and have called on her to hold a community meeting to put an end to the deaths.

“Let’s all step up and send a very loud and clear message to anyone that will listen to try and protect our pups and support our devastated owners but to find the scum of the earth that are doing this.” the post said.

Trainer Tim Ring said he was just as devastated as the rest of the community about the suspected “poisoning of our pups”.

“My heart is just broken for those who have lost their best friends.”

“I don’t want to in any way allude to blame a dog owner for what’s been happening, the victims of these crimes are never at fault.

“If you are worried about your dog picking up items from the ground but need to head out anyway, the best method of avoiding surprise snacks is 100 per cent on-lead engagement.” “Until we’re comfortable that this threat has passed, you will need to make sure that you focus on engaging with your dog, on-lead, for the entire time of the walk.”

“For now I’d highly recommend no off-lead time. This isn’t as bad as it sounds. Remember that our dogs value time with us a lot more than they do with their doggie friends.”