Media release
20 January 2012

Buller South dog death not result of 1080

An independent laboratory analysis of samples taken from a dog that died in the Buller South area about two weeks ago has returned a negative result for sodium fluoroacetate (1080) poisoning.

Previous media reports claimed the dog became ill after apparently ingesting possum bones that the owner suspected had died of sodium fluoroacetate poisoning. The bones were reported to be located near the boundary of an aerial bovine TB control operation in August last year.

The helicopter flight path map for the August aerial operation clearly shows Animal Health Board (AHB) contractors adhered to a 200 metre buffer zone around the property where the possum bones were described to have been found. This proves no sodium fluoroacetate was dropped in the area.

“There is a strong lesson to be learnt here – if your dog is unwell and you suspect it has ingested a toxin, please take it to your local veterinarian immediately,” said AHB TB Eradication and Research Manager Dr Paul Livingstone.

“In a case such as this, there is no point in “assuming” the animal is suffering from sodium fluoroacetate poisoning unless it has been diagnosed by a veterinary professional, which in this incident it appears not to have been,” said Dr Livingstone.

The dog showed symptoms of being unwell for about one week, but was not taken to a vet and was subsequently put down under the direction of its owner because they suspected sodium fluoroacetate poisoning. A vet at Buller Veterinarian Services was on call for the entire period that the dog was ill.

“Given tests have proven sodium fluoroacetate was not the cause of the dog being unwell, if it had been taken to the local vet it is highly likely the cause of the illness would have been identified and treated,” said Dr Livingstone.

“The signs of sodium fluoroacetate poisoning appear from as little as half an hour after the dog has ingested the toxin to as much as several hours later. Dogs are particularly susceptible to this toxin and evidence shows the time to death is usually within 24 hours after it has been ingested.”

The AHB takes extensive precautions to prevent any loss of stock or domestic animals in and around all aerial control operations using sodium fluoroacetate. Before any aerial operation, the AHB advises local residents and provides advice about responsible dog safety. It will also offer dog owners on properties inside or bordering the operational area free muzzles and emetics to prevent incidents of dog poisoning. As a matter of course, all local vets are also advised of aerial control operations.

“However, dog owners must also take responsibility for the welfare of their pets. This includes taking note of the warning signs at each main access point to an aerial operational area and not allowing the dog to stray from their direct control in areas where sodium fluoroacetate has been applied,” said Dr Livingstone.

ENDS

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