Animal bait was apparently used by a 52-year-old woman to lure unsuspecting animals along High Street in Armadale, a suburb of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia.
A witness claimed that the woman that bait consisted of pieces of meat.
Animal Bait
On Tuesday night, April 5, the police were alerted of the situation and arrived at High Street to arrest a woman who allegedly placed the meat baits in 19 different spots between Glenferrie Road and Orrong Road, as per 9 News Australia.
The suspect was taken to the Malvern Police Station before being released with a pending court summons.
It is unclear at this time regarding the specific motive of the suspect. Local sources have not reported any animal fatalities from the incident.
Also Read: New Research: Most of Australia's 'Wild Dog' Problems Turn Out to be Dingoes
Suspected Food Poisoning
The police were first notified when a member of the public reported the woman from Prahran placing pieces of meat along High Street.
Dog owners have also seen the meat chunks across the streets in Melbourne.
Similar baits were also found in the Melbourne suburbs of South Yarra and Richmond.
Several pet owners reportedly took to social media to express their concerns about finding the baits, whom some believe to be containing poison.
The police have retrieved the animal baits and have been conducting an examination to determine on whether the pieces of meat contain harmful substances or not.
Safety Precautions
The Stonnington City Council last week announced it was also carrying out an investigation regarding the suspected animal baiting.
The local council said it has increased security patrols in the area, as cited by 9 News Australia.
Local authorities have also warned residents to remain vigilant while walking their pets in public and requested to prevent them from eating anything on the ground.
Growing Cases of Animal Baiting
An unspecified number of cases linked to the alleged meat baiting has been increasing for the past several weeks in different suburbs in Victoria, as per the Brisbane Times.
Aside from Armadale, South Yarra, and Richmond, the hotspots of the incidents are confined to the southeast suburbs of Melbourne, including Montmorency, Cremorne, Malvern, North Caulfield, East St. Kilda, and City of Knox.
In South Yarra, similar fresh meat baits were found along Cromwell Road, Surrey Road, Simmons Street, and Howitt and Hobson Street, according to The National Tribune Australia.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) was also aware of the allegations of poisonous baits in some council areas of Melbourne.
According to Michelle Green, the RSCPA Victoria inspector team leader, an incident is purportedly an act of animal cruelty that has a detrimental impact on animal welfare, as cited by Brisbane Times.
Symptoms from Harmful Baits
The so-called ongoing animal baiting is likely intended for dogs, cats, and other animals in the Melbourne area, as per Australian local media reports.
As a result, local authorities have not only issued safety measures but also provided knowledge in case their pets become a victim of poisonous baits.
The RSPCA reportedly highlighted that the following symptoms of food poisoning for animals are coughing, difficulty in breathing, loss of coordination, and sudden lethargy.
Related Article: Photographer Fined in Singapore for Baiting Birds, Act Raises Issue on Wildlife Photography and Ethics
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