Angela Paul of Margate holds a photo of her beloved ‘Trouble’ who died unexpectedly on National Dog Day.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
MARGATE – Another pet has died unexpectedly, and it could be a result of property owners trying to get rid of the infestation of rabbits that has plagued the Downbeach area over the last several years.
“Trouble,” who died on National Dog Day, Aug. 26, joined “Harley,” who crossed over Rainbow Bridge earlier this summer. Trouble’s pet parent believes his sudden death, like Harley’s, is a result of a neighbor putting out rat poison to kill the bunnies.
Angela Paul addresses the Margate Board of Commissioners holding a box containing the ashes of her beloved dog, ‘Trouble.’
North Huntington Avenue resident Angela Paul approached the microphone at the last Board of Commissioners Thursday, Sept. 2 meeting carrying a little box filled with the ashes of her beloved 9-year-old Bichon-Cocker mix, and a big poster of photos showing what a lovely pet he was.
“There’s something going on in Ventnor, Margate and Longport that I was unaware of. I was unaware that people were trying to get rid of the bunnies that are overtaking the city. They were taking it upon themselves to put down rat poisoning. If I had known this, I would not have walked my dog,” she said.
“I’m devastated. All I wish is that I knew it was happening,” she told commissioners, who have been mostly silent on both the proliferation of rabbits and the poisoning of several pets, presumably because people are dangerously taking matters into their own hands.
In nearby Longport, where the infestation is even more prolific, Mayor Nicholas Russo issued an advisory to residents about poisoning rabbits, and the borough’s green team held a seminar on what garden plantings are rabbit resistant.
There must be ways to get rid of the bunnies but putting down poisons is not one of them, she said.
“I lost my love and my life on Aug. 26,” she said, asking the commissioners to warn other pet owners about the dangers that lurk on manicured lawns edged with tender flowers. She wants the city to send a letter to all households warning pet owners and parents of young children about the hazards of putting out poisons that can be disastrous for the small and defenseless.
In June, Harley, a perfectly healthy Coton de Tulear, said goodbye to her pet parent, Kate Carter, 19, and a few hours later she was gone. The veterinarian who examined the dog said Harley likely died after ingesting rat poison or some other rodent bait.
Paul said she was walking her dog when he started pulling at the leash to smell something. She took him home and the next morning, Trouble was vomiting and pooping all over the house, she said.
“I thought I’d give him 24 hours because I thought it was just an upset stomach or virus,” she said.
The next morning, when she woke up at 7:30 a.m., she found Trouble dead on the floor near her bed.
“He was never sick, ever,” she said, holding a photo of Trouble in a military uniform.
A neighbor’s dog may have also ingested rat poison, or rabbit feces, but because he was a 75-pound dog, he was sick for a week but survived, she said. Trouble was a lightweight at 30 pounds.
“I wish I had known about people putting out poisons to kill the rabbits. If I did, I wouldn’t have let Trouble sniff around like that,” she said. “I think the city should send a letter to let people know about this problem. Not everyone is on social media, and I heard about it after my dog passed away.”
Paul said she doesn’t know which of her neighbors may have put poison out – some don’t walk their dogs anymore – but she is sure someone is doing it.
“I don’t trust these people,” she said.
Harley died after ingesting poison left for the bunnies.
Following Harley’s demise, a resident started a petition on change.org to create awareness about the problem and end animal poisoning. After one day, there were more than 650 people who signed the petition, but Paul learned that there are now 1,933 signatures.
Celeste of Shopping by the Shore, wrote an introduction to her petition that reads:
“I am creating this petition in hopes to end the use of poison to hurt an animal. The bunnies eat the poison. The rats, mice and raccoons eat the poison. They leave feces in your neighbor’s yard. Their dog licks the paws that walked on that fecal matter. It’s a never ending cycle and animals are dying because of it. Please help me spread awareness as to why it’s unsafe, impractical and unkind! There are more holistic ways to repel wildlife from eating your tomatoes.”
Paul is advocating for more residents to sign the petition in hopes it will spur some action on the part of the city.
Although Paul is not sure what will come of the petition, she really just wants to create more awareness about the problem in the beach town, “so people think twice about putting out poisons,” she said.
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Margate dog dies after ingesting poison left for the bunnies
