Lumley Gardens, Prahran: Angry dog owners desert park over dog baiting fears, RSPCA, Stonnington Council alerted

Dog walkers have deserted a popular inner city park after chunks of rancid meat were found raising fears someone is deliberately trying to poison pooches.

Rancid chicken is being left out in a cruel attempt to hurt local dogs in Lumley Gardens, Prahran.

A once-popular Melbourne dog park is deserted over fears someone is deliberately trying to poison pooches with rancid pieces of meat.

Prahran’s Lumley Gardens is usually full of dog walkers but when the Herald Sun visited on Thursday and Friday it was empty with locals saying raw and rancid meat was being dropped on the ground on purpose.

One woman said her dog needed its stomach pumped after eating a piece of raw meat.

“It’s been going on for a long, long time” a worried resident said.

A neighbour said the park had been deserted for the past three days.

“It was very inconvenient because our dog needs other dogs to play with to lose his energy.”

Another dog walker said she refused to take her dog to the park

“I’ve seen bits of raw meat. I’m avoiding it now,’’ she said.

An empty Lumley Gardens as residents avoid it due to dog baiting fears.

Worried dog owners have also asked why Stonnington Council hasn’t put up any signage to warn people of the dangers of the rancid meat.

Stonnington Council said that RSPCA were “investigating an alleged report of a man who has been observed depositing small amounts of food in the gardens” but did not comment about the need for signs.

Pieces of rancid chicken have been left out deliberately in an attempt to hurt dogs at Lumley Park, Prahran.

It’s not the first time a park in Stonnington has been targeted by dog baiters.

“We used to take our dogs to Fawkner Park (in South Yarra) until a few months ago, but some dogs got poisoned there, so now we avoid it” one local mentioned.

One local man said a dog at Fawkner Park required surgery costing $10,000 after being poisoned.

“The dog is completely messed up” he said.

On January 12, 2023, a chihuahua died from a suspected baiting incident on a Stonnington street.

A Reddit user discussing dog baiting in South Yarra referred to the behaviour as “low-life” and “disgusting.”

RSPCA Victoria said it had received two reports of dog-baiting in the area in the past 12 months.

“Investigations are ongoing, and we are unable to provide any additional comment at this stage,’’ it said.

Persons found guilty of a baiting offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 can be prosecuted and liable for charges of $48,077 or 12 months imprisonment, and up to $96,155 or two years imprisonment should the offence result in the death or permanent disablement of an animal.

Anyone with concerns for the welfare of an animal can lodge an official cruelty report by calling [phone] or online via www.rspcavic.org”