RSPCA investigators are urging dog owners to remain vigilant after a dog’s near miss with a suspicious ball of meat on Bokarina Beach.
Investigators have confirmed the incident could be related to the Buddina dog poisonings.
Five dogs died and nine were confirmed to have presented with poisoning symptoms after visiting areas in and around Buddina Beach between August 2 – 19, sparking an RSPCA investigation into the incidents.
RSPCA communications manager Emma Lagoon said a family was walking their dog, Marley, last Sunday along Bokarina Beach past the Beach Access 246, when it sniffed out a small ball of meat.
“It was similar to a rissole but much smaller, on its own in the sand,” Ms Lagoon said.
“There was no evidence of any BBQ or eating area nearby.
“Lucky for the two year old maltese poodle, his quick-thinking family grabbed the meat before he could put it in his mouth,” Ms Lagoon said.
Marley’s family collected the meat and bought it to the RSPCA, where it has been inspected.
“Unfortunately there is no matter of an evidentiary nature that was found in the meat, which means we are unable to confirm if the meat contains any poisons,” Ms Lagoon said.
Ms Lagoon said the meat was the only item of interest to date found along the beach area, even after extensive searching and media interest.
She said there was no need to panic with this discovery, but it was a timely reminder for owners to be vigilant when walking their dogs outside of their own home.
“Due to the small size of the meat, a dog could easily ingest it without needing to chew, it would be quick,” she said.
“This could explain why some owners of the dogs affected have not noticed their family pets eating anything.
“Always be aware of where your dog is and what they may be putting in their mouth.”
The RSPCA warns any person found to be purposefully placing food items containing poisonous toxins along the Buddina Beach dog-off leash area, or any other place, will be investigated and may face prosecution through the court system.
“The act of poisoning people’s family pets is cruel and causes unnecessary suffering to both the animal and the family that is left to grieve losing them,” she said.
Earlier this week, Sunshine Coast couple Brad and Annie offered a $25,000 reward to the person who provides information leading to the successful conviction of the individual(s) potentially responsible for the Buddina dog poisonings.
Sunshine Coast RSPCA Inspector Julia Steley recently ruled out accidental poisoning, leaving the cause of the poisonings to be either environmental or deliberate.
If anyone has any information that may assist in identifying any person that may have placed any poisoned food along or around the Buddina Beach area please contact Crime Stoppers or the RSPCA hotline, 1300 ANIMAL.
