Dog poisoned on beach remains mystery
A LOCAL resident’s daily morning dog walk ended in tragedy recently when one of her dogs died and another fell ill after eating from a plate of suspected poisoned food.
Birgit Smids, a well-known animal lover in Qatar, was walking her six rescue dogs in the Mesaieed area near the mangroves, when disaster struck.
“My friend had walked up ahead, and my dog followed her,” she explained, “then we found my dog Tinus near a dead fox and a plate of food, and she told me she saw him eat from the plate.”
She explained that everything around the plate was dead, including the fox and the insects surrounding the fresh corpse, which she guessed had only died recently.
“The first thing we did was cover up the body with rocks, and then we noticed Tinus had started to shake, so we rushed back to my car,” she said.
“He was convulsing, foaming at the mouth and collapsed, but most importantly, his tongue was blue, which is a well-known symptom of asphyxiation caused by poisoning,” she added.
Twenty minutes later, Tinus had died and Smids’ other dog was also going downhill, but luckily they reached the vet’s in time to save her.
Although the government laboratory returned to Smids with results indicating that there was nothing wrong with the fox she had given them, the fact that Tinus died within half an hour of eating from the plate, and another of her dogs showed identical but less severe symptoms, would suggest that there was something that affected both the dogs and the fox.
And Smids is convinced that this was strychnine, which is available through a number of veterinary suppliers in Qatar, and often used as a rat poison.
Other dog-walkers have told her a similar story, and one man who lives in the particular area said that three of his dogs have been killed in recent months.
“This is surely more than a coincidence – something is going on, and if poison is being left down then we should be warned about it,” she argued.
Gulf Times spoke to a local veterinarian who confirmed that Smids’ theory that strychnine could have caused the dog’s death is highly likely, explaining that it would be the only poison openly available that would have a fatal result in such a short time.
“The symptoms are clearly those of a dog being poisoned, and knowing the temperament and behaviour of Tinus, I think this must be what happened. He was a healthy and inquisitive dog, and to die so quickly with these symptoms points directly to strychnine,” she said, adding “however the only real way to be sure is to have proof, which is sadly lacking.”
“The fact that all the insects were dead would also suggest poison, as they would usually love rotting or bad food, but if chemicals were involved then they would die,” she added.
The laboratory results indicating that the fox and food were not poisoned do seem to be at odds with the story Smids tells, and with photographic and eyewitness evidence of what happened to her dogs, her demand for a more satisfying response is understandable.
Whatever the cause of Tinus’ death, Smids is completely devastated by recent events, and feels the need to raise awareness so others do not go through a similar experience: “I just want to make sure no-one else has to go through this – people should be warned if this is going on.”
“Putting salt in the dog’s mouth can save them as it makes them vomit,” explained the local vet, adding “however, they won’t like it so make sure you place it on the back of their throat.”
“Then you should give them a charcoal tablet (Norit) which will help clear their system fully and absorb the poison,” she added.
Source: Gulf Times
Yep, everything you say is correct brit. But as we all know some people will always find ways to twist their religion to justify their actions. I never said that was the case here though, I was merely providing harry with further information. I doubt we'll ever know what happened in this instance.
QL is a great medium for learning if we put our minds to it. This story had me fascinated along with some of the comments.
I did a bit of reading on the matter and as far as I can see :
Whilst it is true that Islam discourages allowing dogs inside the house for ‘cleanliness” reasons, they are allowed to be used for guarding property or hunting.
However, Islam categorically states that ALL animals should not be mistreated. Both the Quran and hadith state that animals must be treated as humanely as any other of God's creatures. Cruelty to animals is deemed the same as cruelty to humans and those who are kind to animals are rewarded for their good deeds.
The morons that did this deed need to be caught and punished. However, let's not jump on the religion bandwagon.
Harry - animals are mistreated for all sorts of reasons, and religion is one of them. For example, dogs are haram in Islam, hence they are not viewed favourably by some Muslims and as a result may be mistreated. Nothing controversial in saying that.
I hope i have misunderstood you. Are you saying that animals are mistreatred due to religious beliefs ?
I'm sure it was a private person - however, I don't like screaming babies on airplanes, boors who butt into queues, idiot drivers who think they own the road at the expense of all other drivers (I could go on and on) but I don't use violence (or poison) to try and get rid of them.
Some nuisances you have to put up with - and I don't know of a single dog owner here in the Gulf who forces their dogs on others - quite the reverse. Of course, I've only been in the Gulf 10 years in 3 different countries, so maybe I've not seen it happen yet.
Some people (and this happens everywhere) CHOOSE to be offended, not matter what the transgression is (real or imagined) - it does not excuse this type of behavior (or road rage or rudeness etc.)
this is not only happenin' in qatar, dogs are the most common victim of strychnine poisoning, incidents usually happening on the beachside.,
hope, authorities here will do somethin about this, i've already heard few incidents of the same kind., (think twas scarlett who posted it.,) poor dogs.,
_________________
call me ONE.
Aren't desert foxes protected (I believe they are in Oman and UAE)? As such - isn't this person(s) breaking the law? Perhaps someone can clarify this point.
Not if they made a big mistake...which they did by not warning us...
I`m 100% sure that they didn`t put the poison down to kill one of our dogs...but to kill the foxes in this area.....But I DO blame them for NOT warning people...
Keep in mind that I was NOT the only one on that beach that morning...I run into some people who take their dogs there regulary as well....
If they use poison for god know what reason they should at least warn people....
And sorry but what is the use of a coastguard if they not warn people....???
Only Love & Respect of Others Make us Human
www.qatarpets.org
From the other thread, as the information is interesting and useful, so worth repeating;
desert_queen said
Actually we knew that the test would come back inconclusive...as the would never admit that poison had been used....
Thanks God, I took pictures of everything and thanks Gulf-times for publishing them....
I KNOW what happened......
marycatherine said
Strychnine is the poison of "choice" in many parts of the gulf for trying to deal with stray animal (particularly dogs) "problems". Unfortunately, it is a very cruel and horrible death - and the poison travels up the food chain - so if an insect or rat or cat or bird or cat or dog eats it and is itself eaten - then the strychnine moves on up.
A similar situation happened at Mushref Park in Dubai a few years ago - some black hearted person didn't like that dogs were being exercised OUTSIDE the park boundaries (it is surrounded by a large fence) and took it upon themselves to "discourage" the practice.
I don't know if a child handled the food or dead animal and then touched their nose or mouth what the consequences would be - perhaps a physician could investigate and advise? People like these villains need to know that it's not "just" animals that may be affected.
marycatherine said
Another way to make a dog vomit is to give it 1 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide every 10 minutes until it vomits. I carry a bottle plus some canned catfood (my dog's favourite forbidden treat) in my car at all times. She learned the one time I had to use it (ate something that was toxic and I called the vet) that the hydrogen peroxide is awful - and refused the second spoonful - so I made a catfood sundae.
Please don't take this the wrong way, but what possible use would the authorities have for covering this up.
Surely its in their interests to make the public aware of the dangers of this type of act, since children, adults and animals may be in mortal danger..
No probs. I've been called far worse than 'plonker' before.
My apologies..
Yes, I was aware that it was already being discussed. Someone requested that I post the whole article.
You plonker.. We were already discussing this on the original thread..
Anyhoo..
Ti's a strange conclusion to say the least.
people need to heed the warning and be careful with pets and children..
Yeah, I read that. God bless the poor Tinus. :( It was so sad seing his picture, and he was such a lovely dog.
Anyway, strange the authorities didn't find anything. I reckon, would they like to try the food personally, to testify that it isn't poisoned?
It's true that had working hadn't killed anyone yet, but why to take risk?