Puppy at local nonprofit dies after ingesting rat poison, organization warns pet owners
GRAFTON — A 4-month-old boxer puppy named Nora has died after she ingested rat poison, according to Boxer Rescue Inc. The organization is now reminding the public about the dangers of rat poison as a form of pest control.
"She was a baby," the organization said. "She had her whole life ahead of her and it was all taken away because of carelessness and irresponsibility by the humans who were supposed to care for her."
The rescue was notified by an emergency vet and was asked to take ownership of her. Immediately she was treated. Nora ingested about four blocks of poison.
"The rescue was contacted to take ownership and to treat the dog, and that's what we did," said Lisa Barker, co-director of Boxer Rescue Inc.
On Wednesday evening, Nora began to have seizures and "her body could not fight back anymore." The organization said she did not suffer and was humanely euthanized.
It remains unclear just how Nora got ahold of the poison, but the organization said it was kept in a place "accessible to a puppy."
Officials said this type of poisoning is completely preventable.
The nonprofit organization Wild Care Cape Cod suggests clearing out any extra foliage and brush piles around your home and sealing any cracks in or near the entrances of the building. The organization also recommends practicing good waste management, such as ensuring all garbage and recycling bins are closed at all times and not throwing waste or food into backyards.
Instead of poison as a form of pest control, Wild Care Cape Cod recommends the use of humane traps to capture mice and rats, then releasing the rodents outside. Massachusetts state law requires that all wildlife is released back onto outside property.
Another solution is the use of electronic zappers or snap traps, but Wild Care Cape Cod advises to never put these traps outside. However, using these traps during spring or summer, when rodents and pests are breeding, could result in potentially killing a nursing mother. Therefore, the use of these traps is more humane in the fall and winter, the organization said.
"Nora is one example of what can happen when bromethalin-based rodenticide is irresponsibly left out. There is no antidote...We need to protect our pets, our kids and unsuspecting wildlife," Boxer Rescue Inc. said.
Safe, nonlethal controls for mice and rats include birth control products and ultrasonic rodent deterrents. Reducing the amount of lethal poison in homes that are accessible to house pets could lead to fewer accidental deaths like Nora's.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Puppy dies after ingesting rat poison at local animal shelter
