Bait suspicion in family pet death
A TOWNSVILLE family has been devastated by the sudden death of black miniature poodle Sammy when on a walk.
Fiona Campbell, who lives in Sydney, was visiting her mother Lilian Malcolm and sister Tina Malcolm when she took the family pet out for a walk around Carlyle Gardens, Condon last week.
Ms Campbell said the walk took a turn for the worse when Sammy poked his head into a bush opposite the park on Bowhunters Rd.
“He was chewing on something,” Ms Campbell said. “By the time I crossed the road and got to the park he was shivering. Then I picked him up and he started convulsing.”
Ms Campbell said Sammy then started frothing at the mouth.
“When he was frothing … he stayed very quiet and suffered through it,” she said.
She said a concerned couple walking by tried to help, giving Sammy CPR, and rushed them to the vet but Sammy died before they were able to get medical assistance.
“I did see him eat something. I’m more inclined to think it was something he ate and not something that bit him and took off,” she said.
Ms Campbell suspected a poison of some sort killed Sammy, having noticed a number of dead animals around the area.
“I noticed there were dead magpies, a dead brown eagle and a white fluffy cat,” she said. “If it’s bait put out, it’s really sad. I now walk without ( Sammy) and warn people walking their dogs.”
Ms Campbell said it was too expensive to get an autopsy.
She said Sammy was a “lovely companion” for her mum and sister, who has Down syndrome.
She described the poodle as lively.
“He’d be running around and pull me down the street,” she said.
The RSPCA said it was unaware of the dead animal sightings.
Ms Campbell wished to thank the passers- by who sent her family a card and flowers.
“They were so loving and kind,” she said.
“We’re just so grateful for their kindness.”
WHEN HE WAS FROTHING … HE STAYED VERY QUIET AND SUFFERED THROUGH IT. FIONA CAMPBELL