Poison baits thrown over fences to dogs at Mona Vale

Pet owners fear a dog hater is using poisoned baits to target pooches on the northern beaches after meat laced with rat poison was thrown over the front fence of a home in Mona Vale.

A piece of hamburger meat impregnated with rat or slug poison pellets that was thrown into the garden of a property in Whitney St, Mona Vale, to poison a dog. Picture: Supplied

• Boarding house plans thrown out
• 101-year-old time capsule found hidden in building

Pet owners fear a dog hater is using poisoned baits to target pooches on the northern beaches.

A piece of processed meat stuffed with rat poison pellets was thrown over the front fence of a home at Mona Vale on Sunday.

It was the third piece of contaminated meat tossed into gardens around Whitney St, Parkland Rd and Siobhan Pl in the past month.

Pet owners fear a dog hater is using poisoned baits to target pooches Picture: iStock

One resident said on social media that he had to have his puppy’s stomach pumped after eating something that had been thrown into his backyard about a month ago.

In response to the baitings, popular TV vet Chris Brown has used his Facebook page to warn pet owners of the incidents and what to look out for if their dog has been poisoned.

“Michael”, a dog owner in Whitney St, who asked not to be named for fear of retribution, said he and his neighbours fear their pets were being targeted.

He said a neighbour, who recently bought a puppy, found a piece of what appeared to be a small hamburger patty, stuffed with blue/green pellets, in their front garden.

“Our neighbour came by on Sunday to warn us they had found the poisoned meat in their front garden,” Michael said.

Vet Chris Brown warns dog owners to be wary of possible poisoned baits on the northern beaches. Picture: Justin Lloyd

“Someone had really gone to a great effort because the meat was thrown a fair distance over their front gate.

“He showed me the meat, It was about 5cms in diameter and well and truly packed with pellets.”

Michael said another two householders told him that he had a similar bait thrown into their gardens in recent weeks.

“These are very deliberate acts,” he said. “This is really concerning.

“A lot of my neighbours have dogs, some have small children.

“Then there are people with cats. Native animals could also eat these things.”

Michael said neither he or his neighbours, had been receiving complaints about the behaviour of their dogs.

“There is no excessive barking. None of the dogs have been roaming the streets. Council ranger have not been here looking for dogs.”

Northern Beaches Police are encouraging anyone who believes their dog has been targeted to attend a police station and make an formal statement.

On his Facebook page Dr Brown said that the baits were designed to be appealing to dogs.

“They use fresh meat along with poisons that have pleasant tastes so expect that your dog will want to eat them,” he wrote on Monday.

Dr Brown said early warning signs included vomiting (often containing green or blue pellets), excess salivation and muscle tremors.

Watch for evidence of blue or green pellets if your dog vomits after eating a piece of unknown meat. Picture: Facebook

“Preventing dogs swallowing baits is obviously the best solution.”

Dr Brown provided tips to pet owners to help avoid baiters

●Keep dogs on leashes in suspect areas

●Create a blanket rule of no scavenging for “park snacks”

●Learn and use the “drop it” command

●If you’re worried your dog has swallowed something suspicious, speak to your vet. One injection can help them bring up the bait quickly before it takes effect.

IN OTHER NEWS