The RSPCA is investigating after a nine-year-old labrador swallowed a dog bait in Caroline Springs last Tuesday.
A Caroline Springs resident, who did not want his real name used, said he was taking his dog for a walk along Taylors Road when it swallowed broken glass wrapped in ham.
‘Tony’ said he noticed glass shards protruding from the ham after his labrador picked it up from the footpath.
“I rushed her to the vet,” Tony said. “If I had not seen that glass, I would have a very, very sick dog. In fact, I would’ve probably lost her to internal bleeding.”
“We expect to live in a community that doesn’t take such offence to people with dogs.”
Tony said while the incident had shaken him up, he felt lucky his dog suffered no serious injuries and was able to go home after several hours observation.
He has ordered a muzzle for his dog and is encouraging other pet owners to be vigilant.
“For somebody to do something like that [prepare a dog bait], they’ve got some terrible grudge against something,” he said.
“It’s such a horrible thing.
“It could’ve been anyone’s dog – it just happened to be mine.
“Be wary when you’re walking your dog and don’t allow them to pick up anything … but don’t be scared of taking your dogs out for a walk. We expect to live in a community that doesn’t take such offence to people with dogs.”
Melton council compliance manager Ian Stewart said the council received a complaint about dog-baiting last Tuesday and forwarded it to the RSPCA and police.
“After preliminary investigation, [council] determined that this was most likely a one-off incident,” he said.
RSPCA Victoria chief executive Liz Walker said the organisation had received 54 reports about dog-baiting statewide in the two years to April. She would not be drawn on how many of those reports were from Melton or the western suburbs.
“RSPCA Victoria is sickened by any acts of deliberate cruelty against animals,” Dr Walker said.
“There is a known link between violence against animals and violence against people. We take deliberate acts of violence against animals very, very seriously.”
People found guilty of animal cruelty offences can face fines of more than $74,000 or up to two years in prison.
