If you ever thought that the poisonings at Mort Bay was nothing to worry about because it wasn't in your backyard, it's time to pay attention.
Punch is a small and open park which is not anywhere near Mort Bay. It has a playground for toddlers and I often see groups of school children playing there.
Yesterday, we heard from someone who regularly takes her dog to Punch that bait had been found in the park. Information about the baiting had been called in to the police and subsequently investigated.
This was at the entrance to the park. The date on the sign is 22.10.10, last Friday.
I have just gotten off the phone with the Balmain police and was told that no bait has yet been found, but to BE CAREFUL AND ON THE LOOK OUT if in the area. There is no update on the Leichhardt Council website.
It may have been a prank call, or a real warning. If baits are found, it may be a copycat, or the perpetrator widening his target area. Whatever the case, it would appear that we now have to be careful wherever we walk our dogs because, believe it or not, a lot of people out there aren't as keen on our dogs as we are.
These days, it seems like every other dog owner I meet has a story or 2 to tell about being abused by people who hate dogs. Yes, these are people who live here on the peninsula. Some of these serial dog haters are men. Some are women. Sometimes, we give them cause to be annoyed.
Despite the obvious anger at unscooped dog poop that has resulted in the spate of poisonings, we continue to see people who do not carry poop bags. Who pay no attention to their dog walking [and pooping] far behind them. Who do not bag their dog's poop, even when they see it. And most curious of all, who bag the poop but do not bin it and instead, leave it on some stranger's doorstep or kerb for them to clear.
This plea, taken last week, was on the kerb on Palmer Street.Sometimes, even as a dog lover, I can see how people who already don't like dogs might get angry.
When the poisoning first started at Mort Bay in early September, it was some days before we even heard of it. Georgia had been playing off-leash in the area in those days and I think we were just incredibly lucky that she didn't pick up any poison because she is a Class A scrounger.
I hope what is happening at Punch Park turns out to be a false alarm. But I feel I have to let you know about it. If you so feel inclined, pass the information on to anyone who has dogs, who lives, or knows someone who lives, in the area. The more people who know about it, the more we can look out for each other, and perhaps even for the perpetrator.
Yes, the police say investigations are ongoing. So if you have any leads or suspicions, it's not too late to call them in.
Thank you and take care out there.
p.s. I understand that if you find any bait, you should bag them and bring them in to the Balmain police station:
368 Darling St, Balmain - (02) 9556 0624
*****
WARNING: More annoying patter from the soapbox.
20 years ago, when we were living in Brissie, we had a navel orange tree in the backyard that produced the most marvellous fruit. Enough to share with all our neighbours. Fat, juicy and so sweet that even my father, who was then very ill with cancer and couldn't eat or taste much anymore, was able to enjoy them.
The tree was 100% fertilised with dog poop - our very own homemade, organic fertiliser.
I can't deny that it makes me very cross to see people who don't pick up their dog poop. On the other hand, I've done it myself. I did it just a few days ago when Georgia pooped in the bushes behind a tree. It was well off the trodden path. Who was going to go there? So I decided it would make good bush fertiliser.
I've seen people pick up dog poop and throw it into undergrowth or down some bushy ravine. Personally, I don't have a problem with that either, because it's making good bush fertiliser.
It's poop left on nature strips, sidewalks, in front of shops, and in the middle of the road or park that get to me.
Am I being hypocritical? Maybe you'd like to share your thoughts on the subject.
Meantime,
http://www.moderndogmagazine.com/articles/compost-pet-poo-organic-fertilizer/202
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