30/09/2019
S.S.S. ANIMAL ANTI-CRUELTY UNIT
Owing to the drastic increase of dog poisonings in South Africa, we are compelled to warn the public to put certain safety measures in place.
We are at a stage where up to 150 dogs are poisoned in a single night, in the suburbs. Criminals use Aldicarb to eliminate dogs within residential areas, with the intention of gaining access to these properties for malicious activities. Statistics show that thousands of dogs are poisoned per month by unscrupulous criminals, who have no respect for people or animals. Once the dogs are poisoned, residents are no longer fore warned, and entry is easy and almost immediate.
The illegal use of “Aldicarb” also known as “Temik®”, “Two Step” or “Maponyane” to maliciously poison dogs, is a major problem in South Africa. This poison is readily available at taxi ranks all over the country, it is packaged in small amounts and sold for as little as R10.00 – R30.00. It is a black or dark grey granular substance, that looks like small seeds or gun powder.
Criminals in South Africa, wishing to gain access to a property where dogs are present, typically insert aldicarb granules into cheap meat baits, such as viennas, sausages or polony, to kill the resident dog(s). Pieces of bait are clandestinely thrown over property fences for the dogs to consume, with criminals gaining access to the property once the dogs have been eliminated. (L F ArnotI, et al., n.d.)
It takes literally only a few seconds, from there the name “Two Step”, depending on the amount of poison, to let a dog die a torturous and excruciatingly painful death. Animals die within minutes after ingestion, owing to respiratory failure.
Bayer CropScience (Bayer CropScience, Isando, South Africa) is the sole distributor of Aldicarb in South Africa. Aldicarb is marketed worldwide under the trade name of Temik®. It is an agricultural insecticide and nematicide, containing 15 % aldicarb and is usually formulated as small black granules. Temik® is registered for agricultural use in South Africa under the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural and Stock Remedies Act (Act 36 of 1947) and the sale of it to farmers within South Africa, is tightly controlled. Only certified farmers are legally able to purchase the product and strict control is enforced regarding the use and storage of the product on farms (Act 36 of 1947) (P Fourie, Bayer CropScience, pers. comm.).
In 2001, Bayer CropScience began adding an extremely bitter substance (denatonium benzoate) to Temik in order to prevent its use for suicides or homicides in humans). Unfortunately, most animal species do not possess the specific taste receptors found in humans that detect the bitter taste sensation. This protective measure therefore does not absolutely guarantee that animals would not ingest aldicarb treated with denatonium benzoate. (L F ArnotI, et al., n.d.)
Immediate signs of poisoning to look out for:
Weakness/paralysis;
Nausea/vomiting;
Salivation;
Epilepsy;
Urination;
Muscle tremors;
Pupil constriction;
Aggression.
We advise the public to get the necessary advice from your local veterinary clinic on what symptoms to recognize and what action steps to take, when poisoning occurs. Should you realize that your dog has been poisoned, it is imperative that you take the dog to a veterinary clinic immediately. Minutes will make a difference when you want to save your dog.
The most important practical precaution is to avoid access to the street for your dogs. Remember, a dog will always go the extra mile for its owner and therefore it is our responsibility as owners, to protect our pets against unscrupulous criminals.
These toxins may not be sold to the public at all and anyone dealing with it, will be criminally prosecuted. If the criminals are caught in possession of the toxins, they can also be criminally prosecuted. We appeal to the public to contact their nearest police station or any other accountable organization if they have any information regarding dealers of the substance or people in possession of it.
Please be vigilant and watchful – check on your animals throughout the day and night and ensure that they show no signs of poisoning and that their health is optimal.
L F ArnotI, D. J. H. V., Steyl, J. C. A. & MyburghII, J. G., n.d. J. S. Afr. Vet. Assoc. vol.82 n.4 Pretoria Dec. 2011. [Online] [Accessed 2019].
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Previous Projects:
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