UAE | General

Pet poisoning triggers panic in Green Community

Residents alarmed after several dogs take ill, blame pest control companies for spraying neighbourhood with deadly pesticides

By Sharmila Dhal, Senior Reporter
Published: 20:37 February 20, 2013

Image Credit: XPRESS/VIRENDRA SAKLANI
X-ray vision: Dr Soheyl Simaei of Noble Veterinary with the X-ray of a dog who died recently. Residents suspect pets could have been affected by pesticide usage in the area

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Dubai: The Green Community in Dubai has once again been hit by cases of pet poisoning. At least half a dozen dogs have taken ill with one of them dying in the last two months.

In 2012, over 10 cases of pet poisoning were reported in the area at about the same time. A dog and two cats had died then, following which residents were asked to exercise caution.

Confirming the cases, Dr Soheyl Simaei, Veterinary Surgeon at the Noble Veterinary Centre in the Green Community, told XPRESS: “We’ve had similar cases of poisoning like last year. Six dogs that came to us this year had the same diagnosis. They were all anaemic and had the same symptoms — internal bleeding, diarrhoea, vomiting and blood in the stools. We lost one Labrador pup from South Africa to poisoning. All these pets were vaccinated and in very good health earlier.”

He said residents were blaming use of rat poisons and pesticide by pest control companies, but it could not be ascertained what exactly caused the poisoning.

Affected dogs have tested negative for the Parvo-virus whose symptoms include loose stools and weakness.

“We don’t know what caused the poisoning in these cases,” said Dr Simaei, adding that dog poisoning could result from a variety of sources.

TEN FOODS THAT COULD BE FATAL FOR YOUR DOG

Medications for people
Flea and tick products
Human food products like chocolate, alcohol. avocado. Macadamia nuts, grapes and raisins and Xylitol
Rat and mouse poison
Some pet medications
Some household plants like azaleas and rhododendrons, tulips and daffodils and sago palms
Chemicals in antifreeze, paint thinner and swimming pools
Household cleaners
Heavy metal like lead in paint, linoleum, and batteries
Fertilisers used in the lawn or garden around your house

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Added 15:25 February 21, 2013

EDITOR'S NOTE: There is no confusion. The story talks about cases in two separate communities, clearly stating that The Greens is part of Emirates Living.

mazhar, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 10:38 February 21, 2013

I live in the Green Community and my dog recently got very sick after going for a walk in the park. She had all of the symptoms described and she had to be given injections for three days in a row. I had a suspicion that it was caused by the insecticide as the facilities management company Serve U goes around in utility trucks spraying thick clouds of insecticides very often. We have also noticed several dead birds in our area recently. I have contacted Serve U to get a clarification on the type of insecticides they are using but no one has responded to my requests. Union Properties needs to intervene to solve this issue at the earliest.

Carissa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 21:38 February 20, 2013

The writer seems confused by the names -- Green Community is in DIP and is developed by Union Properties while The Greens is on Shaikh Zayed Road and is developed by Emaar. It's better he gets more acquianted with the devleopments before writing articles on new Dubai communities.

Vijay, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 21:04 February 20, 2013

Pet dogs are a real problem in community areas. You cannot even walk on the grass areas due to dog shit. Dubai authorities should respect the sensibilities of Muslims and ban pet dogs except inside independent villas.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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