Pet owners worry after dogs believed to be poisoned by illicit drugs in New West park
Global News
Hannah Weitzenfeld with the BCSPCA said dog owners should just keep an eye on what their dog is doing and smelling, even if they are off-leash.
Dog owners in New Westminster are warning others after a number of dogs became sick from ingesting what is believed to be opioids left on the ground in and around a popular park.
Resident Diane Gratton said she had to drive her panicked neighbour to the vet the day after Halloween because the dog had fallen ill after a walk through Port Royal Park.
She said after treatment for possible drug poisoning, the dog recovered.
“Our dogs were playing together,” Gratton said. “Suddenly, her dog had a full seizure and started shaking and couldn’t move at all.”
“Another dog also had similar (symptoms), but he was a bigger dog and had tremors, I believe, and the same sort of loss of control over their body.”
Gratton said it has happened in previous years around Halloween, often affecting puppies in the neighbourhood.
She added that now her neighbour is very paranoid when taking her dog out.
“We’re walking and she’s checking everything on the ground because of it. And the dog’s not known to be picking up things so this is why we worry.”