No basis for dog baiting claims

Published on 23 May 2018

The City of Launceston has inspected the off-leash area at the St Leonards Picnic Ground this week, after claims on social media that a dog was deliberately poisoned by bait over the weekend.

The off-leash area, one of the most popular and highly utilised by dog owners in the Launceston municipality, was found in good order.

Neither the Council, Tasmania Police, or RSPCA Tasmania have received first-hand reports about the alleged incident, or similar claims that poisoned baits were recently found at Trevallyn Reserve.

City of Launceston Regulations Officers have followed up with a vet clinic in Launceston alleged to have treated a poisoned dog over the weekend. The vet clinic has confirmed it did not treat any such case. Concerned about the claims on social media, the clinic contacted other clinics in Northern Tasmania — none confirmed cases of deliberate poisoning of dogs in public parks and reserves.

An appeal for information by the City of Launceston on its social media channels earlier this week has not resulted in a single phone call.

The City of Launceston is therefore of the view that claims of deliberate targeting of dogs by poison baits in public parks and reserves in the municipality have no basis in fact.

These claims have been highly concerning to the Council and distressing for dog owners. We would encourage dog owners to continue to make use of dog-friendly parks and trails across Launceston, and to report any suspicious activity to Tasmania Police or the City of Launceston.