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Unaligned News For The Dog Show Fancy
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Unaligned News For The Dog Show Fancy
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ShowShots
DOGS POISONED AT DOG SHOWS
May 2011 | TheDogPress Staff
If you show you should know – nationally ranked show dogs have been poisoned, including the #1 Hound, a Borzoi whose owner offered a $25,000 cash reward for information leading to the killer’s arrest.
Within a month of the Borzoi poisoning in the 80s, the Hoehn’s Top Ten Group Akita was slated to start the New Year on the Florida circuit with Jim Berger, a successful handler-turned-judge. Ransom was poisoned in December of that year. Purdue University was unable to save him or isolate the poison which may have been injected while he was in the crush line entering the Group ring. More on that in a minute.
Poisoning a competitor’s dog isn’t new. In 1895, 8 Toy dogs, Yorkies, Charlies, and Chins were poisoned at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. All 8 dogs died. The two vets who tried to save them diagnosed it as strychnine. Frenchies were poisoned at the Ladies KC show in 2008 and in March of 2010, PETA was accused of putting antifreeze in water bowls at the Belleville WA shows.
Vigilant Handler Jessica Plourde noticed a crushed pink pill near Pixie's cage and rushed the Sib to the vet, who induced vomiting which produced an undigested pill used to treat acid reflux. The pink pill found near the cage was Benadryl which causes drowsiness. Police found pieces of pills in the men's bathroom. Ullum admitted he petted Pixie and used the men's bathroom, but denied giving the husky anything.
Some poisons are difficult to detect. In fact, NatGeo reveals there are 1,200 kinds of poisonous marine organisms, 700 poisonous fish, 400 venomous snakes, 60 poisonous ticks, 75 scorpions, 200 spiders, 750 poisonous plants and even birds whose feathers are toxic when touched or ingested.
That's a gold mine for an inventive dog killer. And that doesn’t include easy-to-obtain poisons like antifreeze, deadly when added to a dog’s drinking water or injected. Potassium chloride (called KCl) is used as a lethal injection in some states. Purdue University could not determine the substance used to poison the Akita but stated it had to be something that rapidly dissipates. KCI does. Akitas have a high pain threshold. A quick needle prick while he was being bumped and jostled at the Group entrance would have been ignored. As in many cases, the method of delivering the poison remains a mystery.
As unpleasant a subject as this is, every dog show exhibitor should be aware that there are poisonous people in every sport. From attempting to cripple an Olympic skater to sabotaging a race car, the risk is there. There is always risk from a jealous competitor or someone you inadvertently crossed.
National Poison Control phone numberASPCA is (888) 426-4435 - there’s a $65 consultation fee and that doesn’t get you to the vet who has antidotes and can treat your dog. The number is mainly for veterinarian use.
Emergency treatment depends on the type of poison used and it is rare that an owner or handler knows what was given to the dog. Mustard is usually handy and can induce vomiting but in some poisoning cases, vomiting would be the worst thing. Rather than waste time with inappropriate treatment, look for evidence of the substance used. A wrapper, a bottle, a syringe; grab that (and a friend) and head for the nearest vet. Some shows still provide a show veterinarian. If so, ask that vet or a show official for directions to the closest emergency veterinary service. Five minutes spent at the show site can save you precious minutes getting to the vet.
“Who would poison my dog?”Ask any cat show exhibitor why their cages are draped when the owner steps more than a few feet away. Cats used to be “benched” in show-provided open wire cages which exhibitors draped in fancy curtains. Sign of the times, today most exhibitors use ready-made vinyl enclosed cages for show benching.
Poison proofing your dog.The Koehler method of poison proofing, used to train police and guard dogs is effective but if you teach a show dog not to take tidbits from strangers and you use bait, he can't be handed off to anyone else. You can however, teach him not to touch food unless it IS handed directly to him by the right person in the right circumstances. Dogs are smart, particularly show dogs. An hour of repetitive training in short segments, at the show site will train him to ignore food on the ground or not in his bowl.
Other methods of poison proofing include a mesh cover on his crate, with a fan if necessary. Handlers usually have assistants trained to be alert for suspicious behavior by a visitor. Choose a handler carefully. If you owner handle, establish a buddy system with those crated around you so you can watch each other's dogs. Don't be paranoid, just be watchful. Don't let bad people ruin good shows.
http://www.thedogpress.com/ShowShots/Poison-DogShows_staff-1105.asp
Related Story: Ullum Innocent - Dog Sport Poisoned
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