Another four dogs have presented with poisoning symptoms and survived as investigators warned the source of the lethal chemical at Buddina Beach may never be known.
A joint investigation by Police, the RSPCA and Sunshine Coast Council is still underway after the deaths of at least five dogs that had been walking in the same area.
It comes as a GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign has been launched to support affected dog owners ahead of a special commemmorative walk on Sunday.
The investigation is attempting to locate the cause of the poisoning and determine if the origin was intentional, accidental or environmental, but investigators are still stumped.
Sunshine Coast Council has narrowed down the poison location to the area around Beach Access 210 on Pacific Blvd, Buddina.
RSPCA communications manager Emma Lagoon confirmed four more dogs had presented with similar symptoms but survived.
“I don’t believe we have all the details on those dogs,” Ms Lagoon said.
“No additional incidents have been reported this week since though.”
Ms Lagoon said the investigators were still exploring a plethora of possibilities to determine the origin of the poison.
“It may be likely the toxin is in fact anywhere along the dog off-lead beach area in Buddina, as four of the dogs did walk along that beach area,” she said.
“One of the dogs only played on the beach at the Beach Access 210 and did not walk along the beach. All other dogs walked through Beach Access 210.”
“Until the toxin is identified and confirmed, there is no way to determine its spread.”
Sunshine Coast RSPCA Inspector Julia Steley interviewed numerous members in the community and vet clinics in the area.
“It is likely that we will never be able to definitively identify the source, however RSPCA are exhausting all potential leads,” Ms Steley said.
A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson said the suspected poisoning incidents had been narrowed to the area around Beach Access 210 on Pacific Blvd, Buddina.
This is the area all five dogs attended at some time between August 2 – 7.
“There has been some confusion this has occurred near the La Balsa Park area. This is not the case,” the spokesperson said.
Beach Access 210 is approximately 1km south of the Point Cartwright Reserve and the La Balsa Park area.
“Council responded quickly to reports that the toxin may have been in the water bowls by removing any loose water bowls and sealing any fixed bowls to prevent access,” the spokesperson said.
“However, RSPCA Queensland has since ruled that out as not all of the affected dogs drank from water bowls while in the area.”
Meanwhile a crowdfunding campaign has been launched in a bid to raise $25,000 for the owners of the dogs who passed, to help cover associated costs.
Organiser Craig Barrass said he hoped the money raised would help in some small way.
“On behalf of our Social group La Balsa Bow Wows we are fundraising for the owners of the five dogs that tragically lost their lives to currently unknown poisoning circumstances,” he said.
“It is hoped… we can compensate them for the veterinary costs, including emergency hospitalisation, tests, medication, euthanasia and funeral expenses.
“It will never mend their broken hearts.”
The community will gather for a commemorative walk to honour the passed pets and La Balsa Bow Wows hoped to reach the fundraising target by then.
The walk will start on Sunday 21 August at 9am at La Balsa Park and continue onto the beach via entry 201 and down to beach access 210.
To donate, head to: Fundraiser by Craig Barrass
Relating to this case, if you believe your dog may have ingested something toxic please report it to the RSPCA on 1300 ANIMAL or QPS.
Council encourages dog owners to remain vigilant and:
- keep their dogs in sight at all times while in off leash areas and monitor what they are putting in their mouths
- ensure their dog is responsive to voice commands before letting them off leash so they can be called away from unknown food sources
- contact their vet at the first sign of any symptoms such as gastro, breathlessness or being listless.
