Animals Fiji has slammed the 51 cases of cats and dogs poisoning so far this year labeling it “barbaric and unacceptable crime.”

The number was recorded by the organisation where the animals were brought in at five clinics in Nadi, Lautoka, Labasa, Savusavu, and Taveuni over time.

As a result of the poisoning the animals had to be euthanized, co-founder and managing trustee for Animals Fiji, Casey Quimby said.

“These are just the cases brought to us, not to mention the animals who are not,” she said.

“It is a barbaric and unacceptable crime.

“Animals Fiji is stressing how important it is for pet owners, in this particular case dogs and cats, to get their animal spayed or neutered to prevent more unwanted animals from being born that will in turn populate the streets and cause conflict between the public and dogs.

“Conflict that causes people to want to resort to using these harmful chemical, paraquat.

“It’s also important to note that it isn’t just our job or the pet owner’s job; we are in this together.

“We are one community and need everyone’s help. If you don’t have a dog, but your neighbor does and you have a car and they do not, maybe you could help them with a ride to one of our clinics to spay or neuter the dog.

“We strive to educate the public. We are working with SPCA Fiji and other in the animal welfare community in Fiji to get our message out.

“But also within the human medical area of Fiji, there is great concern about human health as paraquat is used in suicides in Fiji.”

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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