GEORGE NEWS - Four dogs have been poisoned in the past two weeks, two in Parkdene and two more in Protea Park.
In April, following the highly publicized Henk van Gerven case, the SPCA warned residents that thieves often use poisoned meat or other foodstuffs that they throw over walls and fences to kill dogs so they can enter the premises freely.
The Van Gervens lost their labrador x great Dane, Anja, after she ate pieces of animal fat laced with poison in their garden in Wilderness.
The most commonly used poison is also fatal to humans in very small quantities and can be absorbed through the skin, so people are requested to remain alert and monitor young children.
The SPCA asks everyone to look out for any food or food packaging lying in their gardens and even along the road. Pet owners are requested to check their gardens before letting their pets outside and to not allow their dogs to eat anything found in the streets or on pavements.
Although cats are less prone to eating things they find, the same caution and treatment must be followed for them.
"There are thousands of different poisons on the market, but because the one most commonly used is the cheapest poison and the most effective, it is being used by criminals," says vet Johan Ferreira.
"Criminals usually mix the poison with meat, which is fed to the animals.
"Once the dog has consumed it, its chance of recovering depends on how much it has taken in and how fast the dog is taken to a vet."
By law, any case of animal poisoning must be reported to the SPCA on 044 878 1990 and the police.
After hours and emergency number: 082 378 7384. Wendy Jones, Garden Route SPCA volunteer
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