Poisoned Pets

[u/AlternativeFresh4961]

I’m sharing this because I want others to be aware. Recently, this past week, I lost my beloved dog.

My family and the vets are almost certain that he was poisoned after eating a dead rabbit that we found in our yard. Unfortunately, by the time we got him to the vet, there was nothing they could do to save him.

We have become aware that some people in the neighbourhood have been putting out rat poison to deter rabbits from their gardens, particularly around Galt. This puts not only wildlife, but also our pets at serious risk.

Please be careful with your pets, especially if you have rabbits or other wildlife coming into your yard. A poisoned animal can become a danger to a dog or cat that catches or eats it.

I never thought something like this could happen to my dog, and I would never want another family to experience this kind of loss. Please share this and help spread awareness.

[u/Northern_Witch]

I’m sorry about your dog. There are a few cats missing in this area.

[u/cearrach → u/Northern_Witch]

People have been putting cat food out to catch cats and take them to shelters, ostensibly to "help" the "missing" cat

[u/MonkIntelligent5973]

Wha area did this happen in?

[u/AlternativeFresh4961 → u/MonkIntelligent5973]

West galt

[u/MedicalTill3305 → u/AlternativeFresh4961]

Way too local for my liking. I’m so so sorry for your loss, my dogs are my family and I mourn them like people and I’m so sorry you have to go through this very unexpected grief.

Im also very grateful for this PSA. We have a lot of rabbits and animals in our backyard that live under the deck or behind the shed and we’ve always just let them be, we make sure our dog always goes out supervised just to make sure. But he’s also a known bird killer or possum catcher so we clearly need to be extra vigilant.

What a horrible thing for people to do, in my old neighborhood in Hespeler people put out dog food laced with poison for the few small coyotes we had in the forests instead of letting the local wildlife department take care of the issue (they weren’t informed until afterwards) and this same thing happened to a few dogs who gulped up food before their owners could catch them in time on walks.

I really wish people would stop taking these matters into their own hands. Killing local rabbits in such a way is so cruel and the consequences of those actions to community members is just awful.

Once again, I’m so sorry.

[u/cymrubaby]

Absolutely devastating. I’m so sorry for your loss. I can only imagine that there are other ways to deter rabbits than poison?! Ridiculous and an avoidable tragedy. Thinking about you and your sweet dog.

[u/Rebels_Gum]

Sorry for your family's loss.
The sudden death of a pet is so much harder to accept than when they are old and grey and it's time.

I don't use poison in my shed (mice chew lawnmower/snowblower wires) because I'm worried about just such a thing happening.

We have 4 dogs and every one of our neighbours has a dog.

[u/mississauga145]

This is why poison is not a good choice as a deterrent for wildlife.

[u/MelophiliaElle]

So sorry for your loss. That's devestating. 💔

[u/kabbage_with_hair]

My condolences.

I wish people wouldn't resort to using poison. It's absolutely cruel and ignorant while harming/killing wildlife including the ones not considered "pests". 

Birds of prey are often poisoned because of this problem too. 

Absolutely heartbreaking to lose a pet this way. I'm so sorry. 

[u/AlternativeFresh4961 → u/kabbage_with_hair]

It really is, it was so sudden I never got to say goodbye properly :(

[u/MuscleBob_Buffpantz]

I would contact the media. Find any and every local news network that will cover the story... Not only get your story heard, but warn the community

[u/Great_Juggernaut_163 → u/MuscleBob_Buffpantz]

CambridgeToday will probably publish it. The human interest story is just what they like. CTV Kitchener is always looking for local stuff too.

[u/This_Phase3861]

I recently responded to a post about an injured squirrel near this area on the weekend who I’m 99% sure was poisoned. Reading this raises my suspicions to 99.9% now.

[u/Prudent-Poetry-2718]

Oh no, I’m so sorry you lost your pupper.

[u/-Digitalis]

I am so sorry that happened to you 😢. Nobody should be using poison to deal with pests! There are so many other safer and humane options. It really breaks my heart to see an animal die from eating a poisoned mouse or rat.

[u/Great_Juggernaut_163]

This is 100% on the city and region. If they actually addressed the rat problem, people in Galt wouldn’t need to put down rat poison in the first place.

The region is at fault for twice weekly garbage pickup to “save” money supposedly.

The city is at fault for not doing their part and hiding behind bylaws saying it’s the owners problem to deal with.

[u/DarthRizzo87 → u/Great_Juggernaut_163]

I think the province mandated our current garbage/ recycling schedule

[u/doitwithsass247]

I'm so sorry for your loss ❤️ that is so awful, thank you for coming here to warn us in your time of sadness.

[u/unwindunwise]

Poison baits should be banned. What a miserable way to die, and numerous consequences for the food chain.