Dog baiting Melbourne: Woman arrested after allegedly laying baits in Armadale

An eagle-eyed member of the public has helped police nab a woman allegedly laying dog baits in Armadale.

A woman has been arrested while allegedly laying dog baits in Armadale.

Police say she was arrested after a member of the public allegedly saw 19 baits being laid along High St between Glenferrie Rd and Orrong Rd on Tuesday.

He followed her and a 52-year-old woman from Prahran was later arrested by officers from Malvern police station.

She has been released and is expected to be charged on summons.

The suspected baits are undergoing further examination to determine exactly what substances they contain.

Victoria Police has notified the RSPCA about the incident and will continue to work collaboratively to address any incidences of animal cruelty in the community.

Police have asked for anyone with relevant CCTV footage from the area of others with information to come forward.

Leader revealed this week that a rising number of suspected dog baits have been turning up across Melbourne, leaving owners on edge.

Worried dog owners have taken to social media to report sightings of suspicious piles of meat in parks and on footpaths across Stonnington, the City of Yarra, Caulfield North, Montmorency and Kallista.

RSPCA Victoria Inspector team leader Michelle Green said it was aware of allegations of poisonous baits being placed in public areas across some of Melbourne’s council areas recently.

“We have received a small number of reports regarding the alleged laying of bait around the areas of Armadale and Montmorency in recent weeks and investigations remain ongoing,” Ms Green said

“Sadly, we have seen an increase in cases of baiting reported to our Inspectorate. In the 2020/21 financial year RSPCA Victoria received 124 baiting reports across Victoria, which was a 25 per cent increase on the previous financial year.”

The Stonnington Dogs Instagram page is posting regular updates of the reported bait sightings, alerting owners to the dangers, with many condemning the “evil act”.

Kerrie Nasser runs the page and has received reports of the baits “creeping further and further” into more suburbs.

“Everyone has been keeping an eye out and picking (the baits) up when they see them and I list them on my page,” she said.

Ms Nasser said the baits were first spotted in South Yarra, confined to the block between Toorak Rd, Malvern Rd, Williams Rd and Chapel St.

But they’ve now been spotted near the Hawksburn shops, along High St Armadale, near the Church St bridge in Richmond, and in a park in North Caulfield.

Ms Nasser said the baits appeared to be piles of meat with crushed up “red stuff” inside them, possibly some kind of poison.

She said she had heard reports of dogs getting sick after eating them.

Ms Nasser said she had “no idea” of the motive of the people responsible for the baiting, but believed they must have some sort of psychological issues.

“Hopefully they can be caught,” she said.

City of Stonnington Mayor Cr Jami Klisaris said over the past two weeks the council had been working closely with Victoria Police to investigate reports of dog baiting within Stonnington.

The council has received reports of baiting in the following locations:

– Cromwell Road, South Yarra

– Surrey Road, South Yarra

– Simmons Street, South Yarra

– Howitt and Hobson Street, South Yarra

– High Street, Armadale

As reports came through the council increased it patrols and asked residents to remain vigilant while walking pets, and be wary not to let them eat anything they may find on the ground.

A suspicious food sample collected by the council’s animal management team is being tested and the council is providing police with records of its work to support their investigation.

The City of Yarra also recently took to social media to alert owners it had received a report of a dog consuming baited meat at Annette’s Place, a park in Richmond.

A Yarra City Council spokesperson said it had received two reports of possible dog baiting in Cremorne and Richmond.

“Council investigated these reports and couldn’t find any evidence of poisoning or baiting, but has reported these matters to Victoria Police and the RSPCA,” the spokesman said.

“Local veterinary practices have also been notified.

“Please be vigilant when taking your dog for a walk, make sure they don’t consume anything other than the food you give them, and monitor your dog in all off-leash areas.”

According to the RSPCA there are many different types of poisonous baits and the impact on the animal will depend on the type of bait, the amount the animal has ingested, and the breed and size of the animal. Symptoms may include sudden lethargy, loss of co-ordination, difficulty breathing or coughing.

The RSPCA encourages members of the public who have concerns over baiting in their local municipality to contact their council or RSPCA Victoria. Persons found guilty of a baiting offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 can be prosecuted and liable for charges of $45,435 or 12 months’ imprisonment, and up to $90,870 or two years’ imprisonment should the offence result in the death or permanent disablement of an animal.