Anti-freeze poisoning a cruel death for Dougal the dog
Dougal the dog was believed to be poisoned by anti-freeze.
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Chilliwack RCMP are investigating the possible anti-freeze poisoning of a First Avenue family’s pet beagle.
Earl and Rhonda Hodge said their three-year-old beagle Dougal died an agonizing death after they believe he was deliberately fed anti-freeze.
Veterinarian Dr. Christie Klein, said Dougal was brought to her with “classic anti-freeze poisoning” symptoms.
“It’s so heart-breaking, because it’s so sudden,” she said. “If we can get them in treatment within eight hours there’s a good chance we can save them.”
But for Dougal it was too late, and the Hodges opted to end his agony.
Rhonda Hodge said Dougal had long been the target of “death threats” from a neighbouring apartment building because of his barking.
But she said people would deliberately slam the lid of a dumpster behind the apartment complex to set off Dougal’s watchdog instincts.
“He was just doing his job,” she said. “He was definitely being antagonized.”
Dougal’s cruel death comes after the recent passing of Hodge’s mother, doubling the family’s grief.
“He was my mom’s dog as well,” Hodge said.
Earl Hodge said Dougal seemed to be okay at about 3 p.m. Aug. 8, but just hours later started walking “very slow” and couldn’t stop drinking.
He began vomiting that night, and in the morning was pulling himself across the floor “like a turtle,” he said.
Dougal was taken to Klein for emergency treatment Aug. 9, but it was too late.
Klein said anti-freeze causes a dog’s kidneys to fail, they have seizures, become comatose and then die.
“If they were human they would be in dialysis or have a kidney transplant,” she said. But such medical treatment for pets isn’t there yet.
RCMP Const. Lea-Anne Dunlop said criminal charges could be laid under the cruelty to animals section of the criminal code.
rfreeman@theprogress.com
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