Several dogs dead after deliberate poisonings in south-west France

Several dogs have died after consuming poison in public areas around Bordeaux since early February.

A Malinois died as a result of eating poisoned meatballs in the Parc Beauval (February 4), and deaths have also been reported near Lac de Versein and l’Atelier des Citernes in Amédée Saint-Germain (February 5).

The number of alerts continues to rise. 

“One of our clients was walking their dog, a Staffie named Saya, in the woods of Canéjan when the dog ate something off the ground which contained poison,” Lucile Peyrat, a dog trainer and the owner of Les Amis de Lulu, told The Connexion.

She explained that Saya started convulsing in the car and was taken straight to the vet. Luckily, the dog received treatment quickly and was able to be saved.

Mystery poison

A photo circulating on social media shows a chocolate bar covered with coloured granules while other reports mention poisoned carcasses and meatballs.

 No analysis has been conducted to confirm which type of poison is being used, where it comes from or who is putting it there. 

“It attacks the neurological system… If your dog begins to behave abnormally, if they are drooling a lot, if they are trembling, if they are not acting themselves - head straight for the nearest vet,” said Lucile, who alerted her clients and local community via social media. 

Solidarity on social media 

Other dog lovers have been keen to spread the message, including Catherine Leuger, a trainee vet assistant and owner of a Beagle named Marvel. 

Read also: What are France’s top 10 favourite dog breeds? Two lists disagree

Catherine took the initiative to share informative posts and poison alerts on Instagram, in the hope that “cases will start to reduce as more dog owners will be vigilant to the problem.”

She also thinks it may prevent the culprit(s) from placing the poison.

Interactive map

Similar cases of poisoning are reported in Bordeaux every year. This year, however, the cases have been more deadly and widespread.

This inspired Catherine to create an online map indicating potentially dangerous spots where poison has been found. 

The map was made a couple of days after the poisonings were first reported (February 6) and only features confirmed cases, rather than unverified alerts of food having been dropped in public spaces. 

The poisonings have been added to an existing map that locates places where dogs have been stolen or fallen ill. 

Read also: Be aware of caterpillars when walking your dog in France

Catherine also highlighted messages from her followers encouraging dog owners with Tractive GPS devices to update the network, which can share poison notifications with other users. 

Sharing public spaces

“I think the problem stems from people who don’t accept the presence of animals in urban spaces,” said Catherine, who remembers when Bordeaux’s Jardin Public was targeted with poison after neighbouring residents were unhappy about the noise of barking dogs. 

Lucile believes that tensions may arise in part due to owners who allow their dogs to “take possession” of parks and public areas without consideration for others.

“We want all dog owners who bring their dogs into public places to understand that you should not unleash your dog if they cannot be controlled,” explained Lucile. 

Read also: Mystery of white flags placed in dog mess on streets in Dordogne

Dogs need social contact

Dogsitters and dog trainers remark that some owners are scared and no longer have the confidence to take their dog outside, “but these animals need social contact,” Catherine said.

She highlighted that dog owners can help to protect their pets from danger by using certain techniques such as training them to refuse bait, using an extendable lead, and not releasing the dogs in public spaces.