Forewarned is forearmed in cases like these

POLOKWANE – The police in the city have renewed their warning about the poisoning of animals.

This comes after several incidents in which pets were poisoned and the homes at which they were, were later burgled.

The most common method of poisoning animals in Polokwane is a poison called two step or Temik, The poison is mixed with rat poison and the tasteless, odourless mixture is put into the dog’s food, causing severe stomach pains and ultimately a very painful death. Blood pressure and heart medication is also used to kill animals.

According to Joan Mitchell, a vet in the city, pet owners should take note of the following in cases where an animal has been poisoned:

• Owners should act as quickly as possible as the consequences of the toxin can be devastating, resulting in death.

• Typical symptoms would be acute weakness, disorientation, salivating, vomiting and diarrhoea, and sometimes seizures.

• The symptoms can start within 30 minutes after ingestion of the poison.

Mitchell said there was no home remedy that could counteract two step, so owners should take their pet to a vet as soon as possible. Keeping a vet’s emergency after hours contact details handy was advised, as most often such incidents occurred after hours.

She said treatment usually involved intravenous fluids at shock rates, an antidote in the form of atropine, and various other medications depending on the severity of the symptoms.

Mitchell said with some of the poisons used, early treatment could save 76% of poisoned dogs. Mitchell also recommended teaching dogs not to eat food lying around the garden.

Polokwane police spokesperson, Capt Ntobeng Phala, said it was important for residents to report suspicious people in their areas as the houses that were being targeted were watched beforehand to gather information. He said by being aware of suspicious activities in an area and joining the community policing forums (CPF) in the area, crime could be prevented.

Phala further said residents should not only join the CPF but attend regular meetings where information that could assist residents was shared.