Animal Welfare Commissioner Emanuel Buhagiar has condemned the use of snail poison pellets at Ta’ Qali, insisting that there are cheaper and safer pest control methods that do not put animal’s lives in peril.

Dog lovers were shocked this week when pictures emerged on Facebook showing the poisonous blue pellets strewn around in the grass in the open picnic area. This is the only public area in Malta where dogs can be left off leash, during certain hours.

It is unclear whether the pellets were used by the park management to control the snail population or whether they were scattered in the grass by someone with malicious intentions. However, the fact that the pellets were not mixed in with pet food implies that this was not the case.

Speaking to The Malta Independent, Mr Buhagiar said cats and dogs tend not usually eat the pellets unless these are mixed with food, but there have been people who have abused of the use of the pest control substance in the past in order to harm animals. Still, if the pellets are being used as a form of pest control, Mr Buhagiar questioned why the risky option was chosen over safe alternatives.

An alternative

One option involves taking an empty water bottle, preferably a big one, and cutting it in half.

Some beer is then poured into the bottom half of the bottle. The top half is then turned upside down and placed onto the bottom half, so that the bottleneck is resting on the beer.

Mr Buhagiar said this was a highly effective way of attractive snails and trapping them. It is also a way of recycling plastic bottles and a cheap alternative to pellets. “I have seen many farmers in Wardija make use of this system, so it must work well.

He said snail pellets were not the correct way to address the situation. “I completely condemn their use,” he said, adding that the poison could also end up killing hedgehogs.

What to do in the event that your dog ingests poison

The internet is teeming with ‘do’s and dont’s’ in the event that your pooch accidentally ingests poison while out on a walk. In order to verify the advice circulating this newsroom got in touch with veterinary doctor Keith Attard.

“It is always advisable to carry a small bag of sea salt when walking your dog. If the dog ingests poison, within half an hour to an hour, the priority would be to make the dog vomit in order to empty out their stomach.  If sea salt is not available, immediately rush your pet to a vet in order to receive professional treatment,” he said.

“Oil can also be a useful took to limit the damage. Oil, such as vegetable or olive oil, can prevent intestinal absorption, so it can basically buy you some time.”

“I’ve had cases where hunters or farmers told me that their dogs ingested poison, were given oil and are today still alive and well,” he said.

“Poison is always poison and, ultimately, seeking out a vet is always the preferred way of ensuring that your pet is ok,” he concluded.

Signs that your dog has been poisoned

If your dog is exhibiting the following symptoms, it is possible that it has ingested some form of poison and veterinary attention should therefore be sought: Anxiety, vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive panting, excessive drooling, uncoordinated walk, muscle tremors, convulsions, hyperthermia, increased sensitivity to light, touch and/or sounds, increased respiration,  twitching, tremors or rapid heart rate.

 

Questions sent to the Parliamentary Secretariat for Animal Rights remain unanswered.