Poisoner kills 11 dogs: child next?

Press, 17 June 1976, Page 1

Poisoner kills 11 dogs: child next?

Some residents of the Selwyn Street area of Addington fear a child could be the next victim of a poisoner who has killed 11 dogs since last Friday.

They say that children playing might come across some of the bait, poisoned meat, and eat it or get some of the poison on their hands.

Dogs are a controversial subject among the residents: some say that there are so many that mothers are frightened to take small children down one street. It is not known what substance the poisoner is using, but the police have sent meat found wrapped in paper on a property in Poulson Street to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research for tests. It is believed that the poisoner in the early hours of the morning drops the pieces of meat on properties where dogs are kept. It is believed that during the last month about 20 dogs in Selwyn Street, Poulsen Street and Burke Street have died of poisoning. Mr B. Benbow, of Poulsen Street, found his 11-month-old black sheepdog, Tip, in convulsions and frothing at the mouth about 8 a.m. on Tuesday. He said he had to put the dog out of its misery by clubbing it to death. “It was the only thing I could do. When I saw him he was withered up in agony.” His dog was tied to a tree at the back of his

property, and he believes the poisoner walked on to the property and fed the dog. He suspects the poison was cyanide or strychnine. “It is very deadly and very quick. If any kid picked up and swallowed some of the poison he would die.”

Mr J. Fitzgibbon, of Selwyn Street, found eight of his puppies “gasping for breath” at the back of his house on Friday. They died soon after.

Three other dogs he owns, including a $2OO kelpie, are missing, and he believes they have fallen victim to the poisoner and are lying somewhere dead.

His wife said she was terrified her young son might find poisoned meat.

“He could go out and pick it up and it could really be dangerous. It is bad enough the dogs being killed, but when human beings could be it is a different thing.”

Mr and Mrs H. Lansink, who owns a dairy in Selwyn Street, said that many of their customers were upset by the poisoning. “Every now and then people come in crying and say their dog is dead,” Mrs Lansink said.

About seven dogs were believed to have been poisoned in Burke Street about a month ago, she said.

Mr E. T. Boniface, of Poulson Street, said that about 4 p.m. on Monday he saw somebody in the driveway of his house. When he walked along the driveway the person had gone, but he found meat wrapped in paper lying on the ground. This was given to the police.

On Friday, a dog he was minding for an elderly woman neighbour was found dead at the front gate. He believes it was poisoned. The dog was old and very dear to the woman, he said.

Other people in Poulson Street and Selwyn Street who have lost pets are very upset, and one resident has moved her dog out of the area for safety. Mr M. Coburn, who owns a butcher shop in Selwyn Street, said the area has always had problems with dogs and many were running loose.

Mothers were afraid to take their children dow’n Burke Street because of the number <»f dogs about, and many people had been chased by dogs. The police are investigating. Constable M. Fitzsimmons, who is in charge of the case, said he would like to hear from anyone who had information.