Northern beaches dog baiting fears grow after fresh reports of poison at Forty Baskets Beach
Dog owners on Sydney’s northern beaches are on high alert after authorities warned them to be careful of dog baiting.
Manly
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A warning that illegal baits may have been used to poison dogs at a popular Sydney beach has sparked fears from pet owners.
Authorities have received reports that baits may have been left in the reserve behind Forty Baskets Beach at Balgowlah Heights this week.
Northern Beaches Council has just erected warning signs at the beach on North Harbour, popular with dog owners, as well as along a path leading to the reserve.
The path is also part of the busy Manly to The Spit walking track.
The council’s signs alert dog owners that police “are investigating reports of illegal dog baiting” and that its council rangers are patrolling the area.
Dogs are allowed off-leash in the reserve but are not allowed on the beach itself or within 10m of children’s play areas near the beach.
The warning comes as one local dog owner took to social media — the Northern Beaches Pets Facebook site — to tell other owners that she believed her puppy was poisoned at Forty Baskets Beach.
The woman wrote that her dog began vomiting continuously after visiting the reserve this week and that the dog had to be treated by a vet.
“What is seriously wrong with some people?” the dog owner wrote.
This is the latest in a series of dog poisoning incidents on the northern beaches in recent years.
In August 2019, police were called after a series of poisoning reports at Clontarf, Bayview and Curl Curl.
Earlier that year police also looked into incidents of meat, laced with rat poison, being thrown into backyards at Mona Vale.
It was reported in February last year that several dogs had died after eating baits in the dog park at Careel Bay.
At Forty Baskets on Friday morning, several dog walkers, who asked not to be named, said they had been the target of verbal abuse from an individual who was upset at the sounds of dogs barking.
The council confirmed it had become aware of potential dog baiting at Forty Baskets and put up the signs as a precaution.
It also urged people who see suspicious behaviour to contact local police or the council.
The council’s interim chief executive officer, Louise Kerr, said its staff were monitoring the situation to check for any evidence of dog baiting.
“We condemn such illegal and cruel acts,” Ms Kerr said.
“There is zero tolerance for animal cruelty on the northern beaches and we encourage anyone with information to contact the authorities.”
Northern Beaches Police Crime Manager Michael Boutouridis reminded people that it was a serious criminal offence to deliberately poison a domestic animal.
“Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, a conviction can lead to a maximum penalty of two years in jail or a $22,000 fine — or both,” Chief Inspector Boutouridis said on Friday.
Dog owner Adriana Garcia, of Balgowlah, who was walking her dog Suzy on Friday, said she was shocked to see the council warning signs.
“This is a public place where dogs are allowed and are allowed off their leash,” Ms Garcia said.
“Any attempt to poison dogs is a criminal act, simple as that.”
Friends and dog owners, Laura Manchester and Ondy Chilcott said that they would be extra careful when walking their dogs, Bonnie and Coco.
“There should be more signage on the path into the beach to make sure that people know their dogs could be at risk,” Ms Manchester said.
“People also bring their little kids down here to the beach. They’ll have to be careful too in case they pick something up.”
Ms Chilcott, of Fairlight, agreed that it was concerning that dogs were potentially being targeted.
“I’ve not heard of this happening around here before. It’s a worry.”
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