GEORGE NEWS - The Garden Route SPCA urges the public to regularly check their premises for suspicious objects, especially foodstuffs. Burglars are known to throw poisoned meat over walls to kill pets that may hinder them when they are planning a burglary.
"Not only animals die of poisoning," cautioned GR SPCA manager Frieda Jansen van Rensburg, "an inquisitive child can also potentially be a victim of poisoning.
"Some of the poisons used are so dangerous that, should an animal die from it, the body may not be buried, only burned, and the animal's body cannot be handled without gloves as the poison is easily absorbed through the skin. The same type of poison can easily kill a child when touched or swallowed."
Cat poisoned in Denneoord
Ryan Anderson (10) from Denneoord was devastated when his cat, Sokkies, was poisoned on Tuesday 28 August. His dad Craig said, "It was terrible seeing the cat suffer like that and seeing how distraught my son was, was just as upsetting."
Here are typical symptoms of poisoning to look out for in animals:
- Swollen mouth or throat
- Vomiting / diarrhoea
- Irregular heartbeat
- Dilated pupils
- Difficulty breathing
- Pale gums
- Swollen abdomen
- Muscle tremors
- Hyperactivity / weakness
- Bloody / painful urination or defecation
- Bleeding from any orifice
- Confusion
- Restlessness / pacing
- Blindness
- Paralysis
- Seizures
- Coma
- Cardiac arrest.
"If you suspect your child or pet has been poisoned, you need to get immediate medical care. If the name of the poison used to kill animals is known to you, please do not make it public by posting the name on social media or any other platform," said Jansen van Rensburg.
"Poisoning is one of the cruellest ways for an animal to die and should the perpetrator be caught, the person will be prosecuted under the Animals' Protection Act no 71 of 1962. It is required by law that poisoning of an animal must be reported to the police. The SPCA would also like to be informed when an animal has been killed by poison."
Article: Wendy Jones, SPCA volunteer
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