A sausage laced with rat poison has been found in a Paradise Point backyard in an attempted dog baiting attack
LOCALS are being urged to check their backyards after a recent dog-baiting attempt. Sausages laced with rat poison are being used to harm or kill beloved family pets.
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE RSPCA has warned owners that attempts to poison dogs have become increasingly common after a Paradise Point family’s pet was targeted.
Rat sak pellets were discovered hidden in meat thrown over the fence of a property on Friday afternoon.
The dog’s shocked owner claimed in a Facebook post that her pet was “lucky to be alive” following the incident.
Such acts of animal cruelty are an “ongoing issue”, said RSPCA spokesman Michael Beatty.
“Sadly, these types of incidents are very common, not just on the Coast but everywhere,” he said.
“Often neighbourhood disputes about dogs barking lead to idiots taking the matter into their own hands.”
Mr Beatty said there were measures owners could take to stop excessive barking issues such as hiring a dog trainer or behaviourist, and providing the dog with extra stimulation during the day.
GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS FOR $3 A WEEK
However not all baiting acts where caused by neighbours fed up with constant barking.
Mr Beatty’s three-legged dog Tripod was a victim of baiting several years ago despite the fact she did not bark.
“Someone baited all the dogs in the street and police never found out why, so I am speaking from experience when saying it is common,” he said.
In June, dog walkers at the Sun Valley Dog Park at Ashmore found and disposed of some blue pellets — suspected to be rat poison — in the grass near the communal dog water bowl.
There were multiple reports of repeated random dog baiting incidents at the park.
Late last year, the Brown family at Ormeau prevented their dogs from ingesting poison-laced treats in their yard.
The Brown children Danika, 14, Tayla, 12 and Jordan, 14 were horrified to discover frankfurts laced with pellets were used in an attempt to harm or kill their beloved dogs Marley and Oscar.
In May, Tallebudgera local Sarah Draven’s dog went missing from her Valley Drive home.
The pup was eventually returned but it was discovered she had ingested a nonlethal dose of rat poison in a baiting attempt.
RELATED: Council officers investigate Gold Coast dog park: Two pets died
Third death but Gold Coast council dismisses fears of poisoning at popular Labrador park
Anyone found guilty of deliberately poisoning a dog could be charged with animal cruelty under the Animal Protection Act, which carries a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment.
Police were approached for comment but did not respond by deadline.
NEVER MISS A MINUTE WITH THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN APP
Signs and Symptoms of Poisoning in Dogs
Loss of Appetite
Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth.
Vomiting with or without bleeding
Diarrhoea
Loss of co-ordination
Tremors or seizures
Laboured breathing including flared nostrils, extended neck and head and loud breaths
Sensitivity to light
And in extreme cases:
Onset of organ failure
Loss of consciousness
Nonresponsive behaviour
National truck repair group hits the skids with $3.8m debts
A nationwide heavy vehicle repair group, with businesses from Sydney to Cairns, is in liquidation owing $3.8m – but is still being operated by the same family. They say they have done nothing wrong. Full list of creditors:
Man rushed to hospital after car flips on Burleigh street
A car was left on its roof after a crash in Burleigh on Tuesday, just hours after a car carrying a child crashed into several parked cars in a separate incident.