CLAW treats poisoning cases almost daily
The use of Two Step has been covered by several media houses, but what a lot of people don't see is what happens to some of the survivors. Just one example is a dog named Bokkie who is currently at CLAW receiving physical therapy after being left paralysed by a poisoning incident.
Community Led Animal Welfare (CLAW) is a non-profit organisation located in Durban Deep that provides veterinary treatment to the animals of families who cannot afford the exorbitant costs of a vet, as well as to stray, abused and abandoned animals.
Animals that have been poisoned are brought into CLAW nearly every day, so the organisation’s founder, Cora Bailey, has raised awareness of a poison that has left many families without their four-legged best friends. Aldicarb, commonly referred to as Two Step, is a banned substance being marketed as rat poison. Despite being illegal, it is extremely easy to come by.
When an animal ingests the poison, depending on their size and weight, death can come in minutes. Cora explained that often, by the time the emergency team gets to the poisoned animal, or by the time the owner gets to CLAW, the dog is already dead. When your dog has been poisoned, getting them to a vet is the only option. “The anti-poison kits being sold by security companies and neighbourhood watch groups do not act as a cure,” said Cora. The kits can help delay the effects of the poison, but veterinary intervention is essential.
The use of Two Step has been covered by several media houses, but what a lot of people don’t see is what happens to some of the survivors. Just one example is a dog named Bokkie who is currently at CLAW receiving physical therapy after being left paralysed by a poisoning incident. Right now, Bokkie cannot move on his own, but is progressing gradually. Another CLAW resident, Russel, gives the team hope that Bokkie will walk again.
When Russel was brought into CLAW, he had also been poisoned and was left paralysed in his hind legs. Now, he has full mobility and runs around the organisation premises, hoping to be adopted and making people smile as he goes. Another sad case is that of five puppies that Cora has been bottle-feeding for the past few weeks. She was left to care for the puppies after their mother, who had just given birth, was poisoned and killed. There is however a light at the end of the tunnel – all five puppies are now old enough and strong enough to be homed, and were adopted at the Linden Market on 29 May.
Cora’s main tip for dog owners was to let their pets sleep inside to avoid poisonings, and if they are poisoned, to rush them to a vet immediately. If they are unconscious, do not shove charcoal or anti-poison kits down their throat, and remember, while the kits can help delay side effects, they are not a cure.
Read more about how poisonings can be avoided and the people who can help here: Security groups warn of a rise in dog poisonings on the West Rand
