Rat poison and threatening note scare Sydney residents

A DEADLY package left on the doorstep of an apartment building in Sydney has left residents reeling.

This note, wrapped around a hunk of rat poison, was left on the doorstep of an apartment block in Sydney.

RESIDENTS of a Sydney apartment block are reeling after receiving a threatening package filled with rat poison — together with a warning to keep their dogs quiet — or else.

The note, found on one of the resident’s front doorsteps, simply read “Keep ya dog quite (sic)”.

The pet-friendly property on Sydney’s north shore is home to a number of dogs as well as toddlers and babies, with parents fearing for the health and safety of not only their animals, but their young, inquisitive children.

“Considering there are a dozen people and so many dogs sharing a tiny backyard it is actually remarkably quiet here — you never hear barking at night or in the early morning when it could be disruptive,” said one neighbour, who did not want to be identified for safety reasons.

“We all love animals and accommodate each other as much as possible. “We’re respectful of the fact that babies need naps and dogs barking would wake them — that’s why this was all out of the blue.”

The unit block’s body corporate informed residents of the threat and urged them to be vigilant, also reporting the matter to police, who told news.com.au that threats of that nature were considered a “very serious crime”.

“The real issue is that a toddler would pick the cube of rat poison up in a heartbeat and eat it,” the resident continued.”

A huge piece of rat poison was contained in the note.

“Which explains why I was awake all night last night having panic attacks about my baby who often spends time in the yard and I can’t follow him the whole time looking out for rat poison.

“The fact of the matter is that there is a person living in hearing distance of my family who thinks it’s OK to feed rat poison to animals because they make noise.

“Where do this person’s morals start?

“What else does do they think is OK? Murder?

“Life is dangerous enough for a toddler without having the risk of picking up a piece of rat poison in their own back yard.”

A police spokesperson told news.com.au that the note had been secured for forensic analysis and that inquiries were continuing. He said the matter was being investigated as a threat, while the broader issue of animal baiting was one for councils to control.

RSPCA NSW Inspectorate team leader Slade Macklin said the authority had not come across many cases of deliberate dog baiting, but urged pet owners to take extra care.

“If you suspect your animal has been baited, take it to a vet immediately, and report it to us with the vet’s report and as much evidence as you can,” he said.

“Without sufficient evidence, deliberate baiting can be very difficult to prove.”

RSPCA veterinary medical officer Jade Norris said if your dog has been poisoned, a telling sign is green or blue rat poison dye that would be seen in their vomit or faeces.

“Other symptoms include coughing, difficulty breathing, increased breathing rate, an exercise intolerance, lethargy or depression,” Dr Norris said.

“Also bleeding from body orifices, eyeball haemorrhaging, pale gums and an increased heart rate.

“Other types of rat poisons may cause different symptoms such as neurological signs — weakness, impaired movement, muscle tremors, hind limb paralysis and seizures.

“If you think your dog has been poisoned or even just suspect that your dog may have had access to poison — go to your local vet immediately.”

Originally published as Rat poison and threatening note scare Sydney residents