Concerns about potential dog poisonings in Leslieville.
Maureen Green with Kodi, her Sheltie-Corgi mix, avoided walking in the laneways near Greenwood Ave. and Gerrard St. after reports of three fatal dog poisonings in Leslieville.
Staff photo/JOANNA LAVOIE
Those living and working in Leslieville are feeling a little uneasy after hearing the news that three dogs had died after ingesting a poisonous substance in local laneways.
"Sometimes I walk the dog in the laneway, but from now on I don't think I'm going to," said Nicole Robinson, who was at the local off-leash park at Gerrard Street East and Carlaw Avenue this morning.
"It makes no sense to poison dogs."
Robinson, who lives near Greenwood Avenue and Gerrard Street East, was with her neighbour, Paul Nguyen, and his husky/collie mix, Duke, at the local dog park.
The news of dogs dying after ingesting a poisonous substance in local alleyways was especially upsetting for Nguyen whose dog had been vomiting and having diarrhea since the weekend. A recent visit to the vet determined Duke has an intestinal infection called giardia, and hadn't been poisoned.
Maureen Green, who's been staying with a friend on nearby Austin Avenue for several months, also avoided walking her sheltie/corgi mix, Kori, in the laneway south of Gerrard Street East.
She was appalled to hear dogs may have been poisoned.
Local entrepreneur Euan Mowat, owner of Grinder Coffee at Gerrard Street East and Marjory Avenue, and co-owner of The Projection Booth just a few doors down, couldn't fathom the thought of someone poisoning dogs in local alleyways.
Mowat said his customers and staff members have been talking about the poisonings for a few days.
"Everybody's warning each other about something weird happening. People are starting to ask questions," he said.
"Of course, they're distressed. There are lots of young people around here with dogs and little children."
Jonathan Chalmers co-owns the Pet Emporium on Gerrard Street East at Jones Avenue.
He, too, was aware of local dogs dying after apparently ingesting poison.
Chalmers pointed to talk of the schnauzer belonging to an older man in the neighbourhood recently being poisoned.
"I heard about it Thursday morning. I'm really surprised," he said.
On the afternoon of Feb. 16, Greenwood Park Animal Hospital, at 1041 Gerrard St. E. at Jones Avenue, issued an alert after two local dogs died after reportedly ingesting some sort of toxic substance late Sunday, Feb. 12.
The number of dogs who reportedly died as a result of poisoning was upgraded to three Friday morning.
The Leslieviller, a community forum, is reporting the dead animals are Cooper, a wheaton-poo, from Badgerow Avenue and a cocker spaniel named Amadeus, who lived on Austin Avenue.
There are few details for the third dog, except that it's believed to be a schnauzer.
There is also word of another dog named Jazzle, who fell seriously ill on Sunday, Feb. 12, but has since recovered.
The Leslieville-area veterinary clinic reported the canines were walked in local alleyways prior to falling ill with uncontrollable diarrhea, vomiting, convulsions and seizures.
"The poisoning took effect very quickly," the release said.
"It may be a coincidence, but then it may not be...so please be careful!"
The release went on to say the dogs were walked in the north/south alley, east of Pape Avenue from Queen Street East, up to Dundas Street East and north of Austin Avenue.
They were also walked in the alley south of Gerrard Street East behind the Matty Eckler Community Recreation Centre, at 953 Gerrard St. E., and Austin Avenue.
An autopsy was unable to determine specifically what kind of substance killed the pets, except that it was a toxic one.
Staff members at the Greenwood Park Animal Hospital believe the poison could have been windshield washer anti-freeze, which may have been soaked onto food substances and/or inhaled within split seconds by the dogs.
They're also speculating as to whether or not the substance was on the animal's paws from spilled bottles.
"Please be vigilant and watch out on your walks," the animal hospital advised.
Shortly before 9 a.m. on Feb. 17, police issued a request for assistance and an alert to the public pertaining to a "suspicious incident" near Galt Street and Dagmar Avenue.
Police report between Saturday, Feb. 11 and Tuesday, Feb. 14, pet owners walked their dogs in the laneways near Galt Street and Dagmar Avenue.
Once they returned home, the dogs went into seizures and died.
Anyone living in that area is being advised to check their property and contact police if they locate any suspicious items.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5500, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).