I've got a sad dog story to share...my mother-in-law's...msg

[Mary Plummer]

...dog had to be put to sleep yesterday because of antifreeze poisoning. I know this happens a lot, but the way it happened was really disturbing. I guess their neighbor had been putting out bowls of antifreeze, with pieces of chicken meat in it, to try and get the feral cats that were roaming around the neighborhood. My MIL's dog got out on accident on Tuesday, I think, and came back in about 15 minutes. I guess everything seemed fine, but then the dog got sick. They took her to the vet, where she stayed until yesterday. I'm not sure what kind of supportive care or treatments were tried, but I guess her liver function was basically gone by yesterday. It was only after all of this that she found out what their neighbor had been doing.

I'm trying to imagine what kind of person would leave out bowls of antifreeze to try to deliberately kill off feral cats. What a horrible death she's arranged! I also wonder how many other neighborhood pets are going to die as a result of this.

My heart is hurting for my mother-in-law, and for their dog, Angel. This all happened in the same place where we found Mr. Blue back in 1998. At that time, they had a little Lhasa Apso (sp?) who was quite old, and dying of some kind of cancer. They told us that they were going to talk to their dog's breeder and try to get another one. I think Mr. Blue had an influence here, because they didn't do that after their little dog died. Instead, they went to the county animal shelter and came home with Angel. She was a golden retriever mix, I think, but she had a face that looked more like a greyhound's. She was a real sweetheart of a dog. My husband said "Rest in peace, Angel, human stupidity can't hurt you anymore."

[Traci]

I'm so sorry, Mary, how tragic!

Unfortunately, antifreeze poisoning hits the kidneys faster than treatment can prevent. It is horrible trying to save the life of an antifreeze poisoned pet.

I am assuming someone has reported the neighbor to the proper authorities? In your state this might carry a hefty fine regarding deliberate animal abuse.

[Mary Plummer]

This happened down in southern Indiana, and we're up in Michigan, so I don't know what the laws are there. Both Mr. Blue and my hubby are southern Indiana guys...I guess there's something I like about some of them I didn't know much about antifreeze poisoning, except that it was really bad and that both dogs and cats (and no doubt other critters) are attracted to it. I didn't know it happened so fast! I never let Mr. Blue sniff around cars, and I'm going to be extra vigilant from now on.

[jason]

This happened down in southern Indiana, and we're up in Michigan, so I don't know what the laws are there.

indiana : http://www.animal-law.org/statutes/indiana.htm
others: http://www.animal-law.org/statutes/

[Mary Plummer]

...last night whether or not this woman could be charged with cruelty somehow. I just shudder to think of how many other cats and dogs have died as a result of this. My hubby's mother told him that this woman was supposedly upset by the feral cats in her garden. Of course, I'm using the word "feral," but I'm not sure that they were. They could have been pet cats let outside. I guess the woman was really defensive when my MIL talked to her, and didn't act like she'd done anything wrong. She said something about how her own dog hasn't gotten into it, but my MIL pointed out that was because her own dog is always chained up on the other side of the yard. I hope this woman doesn't have kids!

[Traci]

Mary, I understand you have no control from where you're sitting, but I would ask that you ask your MIL to report her to the authorities. This is a clear act of animal abuse, your MIL has documentation to prove it (vet records, that's another area).

[ShelbysMom]

What kind of a person would do such a thing? Is she aware that she poisoned your mother in law's dog? I can't even say it's stupidity, because she was premeditated in her actions. She knew it would kill the cats and actually put pieces of chicken in it to be sure they ingested it. What a cruel and heartless woman.........Cruella de Ville.
I'm so sorry that your mother in law is without her pet because of such a mean and despicable act.

[oconnorjoy]

Please give my condolences to your mother-in-law. What an awfull way to lose her Angel. I can't understand how anyone can intentionally hurt animals like that...feral or not. I hope your MIL does call the authorities.

[Mary Plummer]

I took the afternoon off; this ear/sinus infection has really got me down. After a nap, I called her to express my sorrow over what had happened, and anger. I guess she's been calling around trying to find out what can be done. She said that the county shelter has said that they know there's a problem with stray cats, but have all they can do, with their limited funding, to deal with stray dogs. They live in a small town about 20 minutes away from the main city in the county, and I guess their town has NO animal control people at all. So she's gotten some friends together to go with her to the next council meeting to put this on the table. She's also talked to the local cub scout troop leader. They were holding a bake sale, all funds to go to the county humane society. They've agreed, instead, to start the "Angel Fund" to get some sort of town movement going. I'm so proud of her! We cried together a bit on the phone. She said that everyone was telling her to go get another dog, but she wasn't going to. I told her to listen to her heart; if the time was right later for another dog, she'd know it. This made her cry, but she said that was the best advice she's heard. We also talked some about attitudes toward animals in their town. She said a lot of people don't think there's anything wrong with killing stray animals, however it's done. I remember this well from when we were down there and first met Mr. Blue. When my hubby and I were asking people if they'd like to adopt him, we heard an awful lot of "What we do with stray dogs around here is take them out and shoot them." So I'm mighty proud of her for pursuing this. I told her about the nice responses here, and she appreciates it!

[jdf]

I'm very sorry to hear about Angel, Mary. What a tragic thing to have happen. Loosing a dear friend to old age is heartbreaking but to loose a loved one because of stupidity and cruelty is unbearably tragic and sad.
We had a similar case here in L.A. a couple of years ago - the guy was putting out sausage dipped in anti-freeze but he was trying to kill his neighbors's two dogs. One died but I think one was saved - the guy was prosecuted and found guilty.

Give my best to your mother in law, Mary. Angel and Roxy can become friends now. You are all in my heart and prayers.

Jim