By Brendan Rees
Shiree Miles heart stopped when she noticed her dogs eating what appeared to be blue looking meatballs.
The Cranbourne West resident said she was “absolutely terrified” when she saw her Staffy cross Pitbull Bullet laying on the ground eating what she believed to bait in her backyard about 8.30am on Friday 1 March.
“I woke up, I was about to make breakfast and I let the dogs outside,” she said.
“I found one of them eating the bait that was out there…I thought it was from something mouldy. It looked like a meatball, and it was really bright blue.”
“I took it off him pretty quick,” she added.
Within seconds, she says her Jack Russell Stella wandered over and began chewing one of the balls.
“I got that out of her mouth straight away.
“I was like ‘Oh my god I think it’s rat sac or something.’ I got into a bit of a panic and called the vet straight away.”
Ms Miles soon discovered three more of the balls in her Calais Court backyard. “They don’t have bones; there’s nothing for them to eat out there.”
The vet told her the dogs had eaten either snail or rat bait and provided some vomit inducing pills.
She said Stella didn’t ingest any of the bait while Bullet didn’t ingest enough for it to “be an issue.”
“They came back the same day and they were fine, they just said to keep a close eye on them, been no dramas,” Ms Miles added.
“If it had of happened any other day they probably would’ve died to be honest, because we usually put them straight out and leave for work.”
Ms Miles took Bullet to the vet for a follow-up check on Sunday 3 March.
“Had a blood test to make sure everything was ok, and they give the dog some medication. He was fine,” she said.
Shaken from the incident, Ms Miles said she and her partner were now in the process of setting up CCTV cameras around their home.
“I’m so terrified to leave them outside,” she said.
Ms Miles said she could not wrap her head around as to who would commit such an act.
“I’m so disgusted that anyone could ever do this to any animals.
“It’s really upsetting not to be able to have your own dogs in your own home at the minute,” she said.
RSPCA Victoria confirmed it has received a report relating to the incident.
“Given it is an ongoing investigation we are unable to provide any further details at this time,” RSCPA Victoria inspector Rebecca Woodhouse said.
She said anyone anybody found guilty of animal cruelty under the The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 can face fines up to $40,297.50 or 12 months’ imprisonment, or fines up to $80,595 or two years’ imprisonment if the offence results in the death or serious disablement of the animal.
Anyone with information is urged to contact RSPCA Victoria on 9224 222.
