For Samantha Barrass and her family, the loss of their golden labrador Pepper this week has been made even harder by the knowledge it may have stemmed from a deliberate, malicious act.
“It’s unbelievable … it just makes you sick to the stomach … there’s no words,” Ms Barrass said.
“I don’t know how you could harm let alone kill an innocent, defenceless animal and a dog … that provides so much joy.”
Pepper was one of five dogs to die after visiting Buddina beach — a popular off-leash area on the Sunshine Coast.
Pepper exhibited poisoning symptoms several hours after her walk.
Ms Barass said her dog died at the vet clinic on Tuesday
Breaking the news to her five-year-old daughter was one of the hardest things she’d had to do.
“She just wants Pepper to be home and can’t kind of comprehend what’s happened,” Ms Barass said.
“She was the happiest dog … stupidly happy … she was the brightest of all of us.”
Dog bowls removed
Sunshine Coast police and the RSPCA are investigating, with at least seven dogs affected, including the five that have died.
Several of the owners told authorities their dogs had drunk from water bowls at Buddina, near beach access 210.
Sunshine Coast councillor Joe Natoli said portable drinking bowls had been removed while fixed bowls had been sealed to prevent further contamination.
“We’ll increase our surveillance of the area,” Mr Natoli said.
“Council is actually asking people that if they if they have their dogs, and they’re in off leash areas, to be very vigilant to make sure that they keep an eye on their dogs.”
