By Alesha Capone
A Tarneit dog owner has warned Newgate estate residents to be on the lookout for cooked bones on nature strips and other sites, after her dog accidentally ate one during a walk and became sick.
Cassy Wruss said she has discovered several of the cooked bones during walks with her dog on an almost daily basis, mostly hidden in the grass on nature strips and in sand and dirt piles at building sites.
“A couple of weeks ago my dog accidentally ate one and was unhappy for a couple of days but luckily is fine,” Ms Wruss said.
She said her dog suffered diarrhoea after eating the bone.
Streets where Ms Wruss has found the bones include Queensbridge Avenue, Ravenshaw Chase, Onegar Street and Lionsgate Crescent.
Ms Wruss posted a warning about the cooked bones on a Tarneit community Facebook page recently, to let other dog owners know about the situation.
“I don’t take my dog walking around the neighbourhood anymore since last week when I posted on Facebook,” she said.
Ms Wruss said she did not know how the bones were being distributed, whether by an unknown person or birds scattering the bones after finding them in rubbish.
However, she said she felt worried that dogs – especially smaller ones – might get very sick after eating the bones.
“If you have a small dog please be extra cautious and keep them on a lead,” she said.
Veterinarians generally advise pet owners against giving their pooches a cooked bone, as it is easy for the bones to splinter into jagged pieces.
These jagged splinters become a choking hazard and potentially cause serious internal damage if swallowed.
Wyndham council’s city operations director, Stephen Thorpe, said there has not been any recorded incidents of suspected dog baiting in local parks during the past 12 months.
“We urge dog owners to be aware of their surroundings when walking their dogs at all times,” Mr Thorpe said.
“Keep your dog on a lead and in close visible range if you are in an off-lead area.
“Don’t allow your dog to eat or pick up unknown items.”
Report suspicious items to the council on 1300 023 411.
