One dog in Bayonne, and possibly more, may have died as result of ingesting rat poison that some local animal rights activists believe was put out by property owners to get rid of feral cats.
Resident Maria Perez’s dog Plato fell ill on June 12 from what she at first thought was a minor cut or bite. But according to a veterinarian, the dog likely died as a result of poison – one often associated with the killing of rats.
“At mid-morning, I got a call from the [doggie] daycare that something was wrong with Plato. He was bleeding from his nose and mouth and it wouldn’t stop,” Perez said.
Elize Tomczac, of Dogtopia on Avenue E in Bayonne, said the dog began to exhibit symptoms of rat poisoning after the dog received a small scratch and the bleeding didn’t stop.
“It is illegal for anyone to put rat poison out like this.” — Adelaide Laurie
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Most of these poisons use Rodenticide, she said, which thins the blood and keeps it from clotting. A small cut will not heal, and often even without a cut, the animal will bleed to death from the nose or gums.
Dogtopia brought the animal to a veterinarian who did emergency surgery to stop the bleeding. This allowed Perez to bring the dog home.
“During the night, he continued bleeding,” she said. “I took him back to the vet, who said that Plato would need a second surgery, as the damage was more extensive than originally thought.”
The second surgery appeared to work at first but when Plato was scheduled to go home, the veterinarian said the dog had taken a turn for the worse. He continued to bleed and later died.
Origin
Perez routinely walked the dog in the area of 49th Street and Avenue B and is among a number of people who suspect the dog came into contact with rat poison put out to kill local wildlife or feral cats.
The stray cat population has increased around the country as more people give up their pets in a bad economy, and there are fewer places to shelter them. Last year, the Bayonne City Council tabled an ordinance designed to manage stray cat populations throughout the city, citing problems with its implementation. The ordinance would have allowed the city’s Feral Cat Foundation to become caretakers for the cat population, managing their health, feeding and neutering. But the council put it on hold to review it for possible modification.
Local animal activists have already contacted city and other officials to determine if there is some way to find out how the poisoning happened, especially since other pet owners have reported similar problems.
“I suggested that all my members go to the next City Council meeting and demand answers,” said Adelaide Laurie, president of the Hudson County Animal League. “This could have been a child that was poisoned. It is illegal for anyone to put rat poison out like this. I also suggested that flyers that tell people that it is illegal to harm domestic animals.”
City Business Administrator Steve Gallo said the facts are unclear as to how the dog ingested the rat poison.
“The City of Bayonne has only received peripheral, anecdotal information regarding the allegation that a dog died from rat poison that was placed on someone’s lawn,” he said. “No one has reported to the Police Department or Health Division that their dog died from such exposure. The application of rat poison is a serious matter best handled by licensed professionals and governed by state law and any use beyond its intended use would be illegal. We urge anyone with information regarding this matter to contact the Bayonne Police at 201-858-6900.”
However, Perez said she contacted both entities and they told her there was nothing the city could do.
Kathleen Henderson, president of the Bayonne Feral Cat Foundation, said the city’s health department needs to be more involved and local vets need to test and report confirmed cases of poisoning.
“We have suspected poison in the deaths of many cats, but because they are strays and the city continues to drag its feet on the TNR [trap, neuter and release] ordinance, no one would come forward to report it for fear of a ticket for feeding cats. Now dogs are dying,” she said.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.