South Africa: Up to 1000 dogs poisoned per week

As many as 1 000 dogs are poisoned in South Africa every week, says Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, director at the country's Griffon Poison Information Centre.

On Wednesday evening, some 40 dogs were poisoned in the mainly white area of Florida, Roodepoort. “The poison that is used is very potent – around 97 percent of animals that are poisoned die,” Verdoorn told News24.

“It’s believed that this pesticide is smuggled in from Zimbabwe and then sold by small local vendors in [black] townships. The substance is initially made in China and is currently illegal to be sold in South Africa.”

Cora Bailey, director of Community Led Animal Welfare (CLAW), who also to live in Florida, confirmed Wednesday’s mass poisoning to News24.

“This has been going on for years,” Bailey explained. “It is a massive problem. This poison is being sold everywhere.” This particular poison is being smuggled into the country from Zimbabwe, she said.

Bailey added: “Over the last couple of months there has been an average of two dogs treated for poisoning a day and these are just the ones who make it to us alive.” Bailey told capetownetc.com that the number of dogs being poisoned in South Africa has experienced a marked increase.

Guard dogs are being poisoned while on duty at night and it is becoming more common as more black assailants are using poison to ensure they are not...

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