Make sure you’re looking out for what your dog is eating when they’re outside.
A suspicious meatball found on a beach in the Sunshine Coast may be linked to recent dog poisonings in nearby Buddina beach.
RSPCA are warning dog owners to be on high alert after a dog’s close encounter with a suspicious meatball on Bokarina beach. Investigators are fairly certain that the meatball incident is related to the dog poisonings on Buddina beach last month.
The Sunshine Coast Council is warning dog owners to be vigilant around Point Cartwright and Buddina beach, where 5 dogs are suspected to have been poisoned. Credit: Google Maps
Emma Lagoon, the communications manager of RSPCA, confirmed that a family came across the suspicious ball of meat at Bokarina beach while walking their two-year-old Maltese Poodle Marley last Sunday. More precisely, Marley sniffed out the meat around Beach Access 246.
Poisonings Most Likely A Deliberate Act
Ms Lagoon said the meat was shaped like a rissole, but smaller. It was in the sand by itself.
“There were no signs of any BBQ nearby,” Ms Lagoon said.
Marley, the two-year-old Maltese Poodle, had a close encounter with a potentially deadly ball of meat. Credit: Sunshine Coast News.
Luckily for Marley, his quick-thinking family removed the suspicious meat before Marley could take a bite. His family then brought the meat to the RSPCA to be inspected. Unfortunately, they were unable to determine whether the meat contained any poisons.
After the first reported dog poisonings linked to the popular beach back in early August, extensive searches of the area have turned up empty.
However, Ms Lagoon said there is no need for panic just yet with the discovery of the suspicious meatball. Though it should remind all pet owners to be on alert when walking their dogs outside of their home.
Marley sniffed out the miniature ‘rissole’ on Bokarina Beach. Credit: Sunshine Coast News.
“Because the size of the meat is so small, a dog could easily ingest the meat without even chewing. The dog would snap it up in the blink of an eye,” she said. “This might help explain why some owners of the affected dogs did not notice their dog eating anything.”
Strong Warning To Culprits
The RSPCA have warned that any person found to be purposefully putting items of food containing toxic poisons along the Buddina beach area, or any other area, will be investigated and may even face court.
“Poisoning other people’s family pets is cruel and despicable. It causes both the affected animal and their owners unnecessary suffering and grieving,” Ms Lagoon said.
An investigation into last month’s dog poisonings by the RSPCA have ruled out the possibility of accidental poisonings.
“This leaves us with the cause of the poisonings to be either environmental, or delibrate,” says RSPCA inspector Julia Steley.
If you, or anyone you know, have any information that may assist in finding any person that might have placed poisoned food in or around the Buddina beach area, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or contact the RSPCA hotline.
Find Word of Wisdom
“Always be aware of where your dog is and what they’re doing. Especially of what they might be putting in their mouth”, Ms Lagoon says.
If you suspect that your dog has been poisoned, seek veterinary care immediately.
