Dog Poison Found in Las Salvias

Today on our regular walk around the block, our dog ate a small piece of poisoned meat and immediately went into spasms and shock. We rushed her to the nearest vet but it was too late to save her.

The poison is in small, square pieces of meat - about the size of a fat wheat thin cracker. Our pet was only four years old and a true love bug. We are deeply saddened and want to prevent this from happening to anyone else. Please beware of everything your pet sniffs or licks.

I'm so so sorry. Thank you for the warning.

Have you reported this to Lina? Is it possible to get a sample of the meat?

The same neighborhood  also lost two other dogs today and another is fighting for its life right now.

I would really like to know what poison can act so quickly at such a small dose?

Strychnine

Thanks Cbob. Has any specimen been tested for it? Has any dead dog been given a toxicology test?

When I lived in Guatemala, the village would be baited by the government about every six weeks. They would come with a truck to pick up the dead dogs on the same route they used for the baiting.

There have been dozens of samples handed in for testing but I have not heard about even one test being conducted and verified. I too think it is the government or other group such as the garbage men who have to clean up the mess the street dogs leave. At the very least I think the government knows why it is done. I have noticed an increase in "street dogs" in the past 4 weeks or so here in Ajijic and wondered if the "serial dog killer" would be striking again. Poison is also laid out to kill rats.

Sorry for you loss LifeNo5.

This topic got me looking into what kind of person poisons dogs. What I read is disheartening. Of those who do get caught, they are a mix of men and women from various strata of society, rich and poor, young and old. They each had different reasons for doing it as well. Nothing is cut and dried. It has been going on a loooong time and all around the world. They are very hard to catch, especially in places where access to poisons is easy and not tracked.

By now, pet owners must be aware that dog poison is out there and hopefully, are not letting their dogs out loose on the streets or unleashed when they take them for walks. The last people whose dogs ate the poison didn't say what the circumstances were.

My husband was walking her around the block.  Yes. she was off leash and ambling along with him.  Our bad and oh for a do-over.  However, they sniff and smell and he missed it as they walked.  We have paid the price by losing our beloved Maggie.

To all - never assume anything but pay attention all the time!
And thanks for the kind thoughts.

LifeNo5 wrote:My husband was walking her around the block.  Yes. she was off leash and ambling along with him.  Our bad and oh for a do-over.  However, they sniff and smell and he missed it as they walked.  We have paid the price by losing our beloved Maggie.

To all - never assume anything but pay attention all the time!
And thanks for the kind thoughts.

Sorry you lost your Maggie. I know that hurts.

It's happened to me too, it's the most painful thing I've ever experienced. It is so fast acting and so deadly and so so easy for the dogs to snatch up and gulp down in a fraction of a second. I felt so helpless even though I knew what was happening immediately, called the vet, he zoomed right over from about 6 blocks away, it was still too late to save her and we just put her down to stop her suffering. Poor little thing, it is devastating.

Don't blame yourself it happens with leashes equally. You have my deepest sympathy.

Defarge wrote:This topic got me looking into what kind of person poisons dogs. What I read is disheartening. Of those who do get caught, they are a mix of men and women from various strata of society, rich and poor, young and old. They each had different reasons for doing it as well. Nothing is cut and dried. It has been going on a loooong time and all around the world. They are very hard to catch, especially in places where access to poisons is easy and not tracked.

Thank you, Defarge! Muy amable. I've always wanted to know this.

I believe all the poison laid out around here is intended to cull the street dogs and/or rats. Peoples pets are collateral damage. The government knows this hence no follow up on samples. They already know what it is.......they just pay lip service to the gringos. Keep your dogs on a leash and under close eye.

It is funny that you mention the government because that is exactly what my husband thinks.  Loose dogs often dig in trash, scattering it all over the street.  Who usually has to gather it up?  The trash men.  Hmmm and pitiful!!!

I keep wondering, with poisoned meat scattered around why aren't dead cats showing up? Or are they, just no one talking about it?

Maybe because cats tend to be a bit pickier with what they eat?

CanuckBob wrote:Maybe because cats tend to be a bit pickier with what they eat?

Pure folklore: Cats tend to go hide when they're dying.
I tend to think this is a government action, too, and no way are they going to admit it. The pets would be collateral damage.

CanuckBob wrote:I believe all the poison laid out around here is intended to cull the street dogs and/or rats. Peoples pets are collateral damage. The government knows this hence no follow up on samples. They already know what it is.......they just pay lip service to the gringos. Keep your dogs on a leash and under close eye.

I'm beginning to agree with you, CB. damn Go to TOB and read Lina's posts regarding the current poisonings. The complete stonewalling, lack of interest, lies, not following protocol, etc all point to the ayuntamiento being the dog poisoners. I am beyond angry.

Have the locations of the poisonings all been around the garbage dump areas?

Well I am not convinced this is the government directly however I believe the poison is put out for the culling of street dogs/rats with the governments permission (or at least blind eye). The street dogs and rats do need to be culled or we would be over run by them. Poisoning is not the way to do it however without funding it is probably the cheapest way. Street dogs are culled daily NOB by the "dog catcher" so don't think this only happens in México. Maybe someone should put forth the funding to get a "dog catcher" so the street dogs can be rounded up and put down "behind the curtains" and the rats can be killed with traps.

Ok, so I just talked to the garbage guys that work in SAT. Nice guys, we are on friendly terms, they've helped me find houses for rent, bla bla bla. I first asked one of the guys from the truck if they knew about the poisonings, they said yes and es muy malo, I then said it was probably the ayuntamiento right? They said no, not the government it was la gente. Then I asked Carlos the driver and he said no, it's an individual because if it were the ayuntamiento it would be happening in Chapala and SAT but it is not. I said, not happening in Chapala? They said no and not here in SA either. That's true, no recent cases that I know of either in SA. There was no hesitation in their answers and I know them and don't think they were lying.

Is there currently a large street dog population in SAT or Chapala? There is/was here in Ajijic.

CanuckBob wrote:Is there currently a large street dog population in SAT or Chapala?

I walk every day and I see many street dogs in Centro Chapala. They all are well mannered and the people love them. I talked last night to a street vendor selling pancakes and she said they (her family) round up the dogs daily and take them to the shelter to be fed. I do not understand that, but there must be some magic going on here with them. I have on occasion seen the dog that needs some attention, the others seem to look well fed and tended.

EDITORIAL: Putting the trash out on the curb the night before is plain dumb. The scattered trash is caused not by the animals, but by the trash bag placer.

CanuckBob wrote:Is there currently a large street dog population in SAT or Chapala? There is/was here in Ajijic.

Not so much in SAT. The dogs I see hanging out all have homes.

Agree, RichD, the problem lies with the people who insist on putting out their garbage the night before.