PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Dog owners in the Harkerville area of Plettenberg Bay have been warned to keep an eye out for signs of poisoning, following two reported incidents in the area.

The Harkerville Rural Protection's Lorraine Olivier said a resident reported last week that she had noticed her dogs eating raw pork sausage. "It must have been thrown over the fence. She immediately became suspicious and rushed the dogs to the vet," Olivier said.

It turned out her instincts were correct and the veterinarian managed to save the two dogs by pumping their stomachs.

Later that same evening, Olivier said, another resident's dog also showed signs of poisoning. The dog was rushed to the nearest vet and also managed to pull through. Olivier warned residents to keep a close eye on their pets for signs of poisoning. "These horrific acts against defenceless animals are just deplorable, we need to find these culprits," Olivier said.

She explained that symptoms of poisoning in dogs could vary greatly depending on the type of poison, and could include vomiting, breathing difficulties and drooling.

"If your dog inhaled something toxic, they might find it difficult to breathe or lose consciousness. Poisons that come into contact with your dog's skin can cause irritation and pain."

Anyone with information about the incidents or who has experienced similar incidents over the past few days can contact Olivier on 083 344 1927.

It is unclear what the motivation behind the poisoning could be, but it is known that criminals often use this method to break down a home's first line of defence - pets that can alert homeowners to suspicious activity.

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