Stouffville dogs die from suspected antifreeze poisoning
The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is asking for the public's help as it investigates the deaths of three dogs on a rural property in Stouffville. Tests have confirmed at least one of the dogs ingested toxic antifreeze.
The owner of the Australian Shepherd dogs, Mike Morrison, called the OSPCA after the family pets suddenly became sick with the same symptoms on the property, near Vandorf Sideroad and Kennedy Road.
Morrison says he doesn't know how they came to ingest the toxin and that he didn't have any of the chemical on his property when the dogs became ill over the weekend of Jan 9-12.
The OSPCA on Thursday said it's seeking possible answers from the community as it works with York Regional Police.
The owners reported that one of the dogs has tested positive for ethylene glycol (antifreeze). Testing is still underway to confirm what is suspected to be the same kind of poisoning in the other two dogs.
Brad Dewar of the OSPCA said all three dogs died within several days of ingesting what was suspected to be antifreeze.
Ethylene glycol can be extremely toxic and often attracts animals because of its sweet taste and smell.
"In cases where antifreeze is used to poison animals, it is an offence and a person could face charges," said OSPCA regional inspector Alison Green.
"I'd like to think it's not intentional, because I like to think that no one would stoop to that level and that no could do something so horrible," Suzan Morrison said.
Veterinarians say owners should look out for symptoms of antifreeze poisonings. That could mean their dog is drinking water excessively, walking off-balance or losing control of its urine.
In the Morrisons' case, one of their dogs had a seizure.
