Toxicology reports on the deaths of multiple dogs suspected to have died of poisoning in Lapland, Ocean View, last month confirmed rat poisoning and snail bait.
According to volunteers from the 1 Kennel At A Time, a non-profit organisation (NPO) in Ocean View, a total of 20 dogs died in one month.
Volunteer Trijntje De Jonge explained: “Results from toxicology done by Tears Animal Rescue was that snail bait was used on two dogs that were seen throwing up green stuff and it seems that a few dogs had been poisoned,” she said. “There was also rat poison found in a yard.”
Bones with rat poison were found with symptoms in dogs such as disorientation, drinking water excessively, bleeding, drooling and seizures with the most recent poisoning incident on Friday 27 September.
“As far as we know, only one dog has survived after treatment at Tears,” De Jonge added. “We have no suspect yet but we hope this individual will be caught soon.”
Burglaries
According to De Jonge, after the poisoning incidents that occurred within the same radius, burglaries went up in the area. “There were a few break-ins in that area after the poisoning and the quiet dogs were not poisoned, they targeted only dogs that were alert.”
She added that it was not a common occurrence to have so many dogs targeted and poisoned within a short period of time.
“Four cats also died suddenly, two cats were thrown in a wheelie bin and found dead,” she shared. “The area they were found in is called Lapland and it happened in three or four streets near each other. In some cases, three dogs on the same property were poisoned.”
De Jonge is cautioning residents to remain vigilant.
“I think residents should always be alert. We also see puppies getting stolen all the time and dogs disappearing and never being seen again,” she said. “The case went to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA now and they are handling it.”
Cape of Good Hope SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham confirmed that a complaint is being investigated. “We did receive a complaint which has been investigated. Unfortunately, no suspect has been identified and we have no other choice but to keep the matter on record until information that may lead us to a perpetrator comes to light,” she said.
- Report incidents to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA on 0217004158/9 or email inspectorate@spca-ct.co.za all complaints will be taken confidentially.
