NEWS DESK
Alert after dog poison attempt Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au A MT MARTHA pet owner whose dog managed to avoid being poisoned is warning her neighbours to watch out. Maria (who asked that her surname be withheld), of Cornwell Crescent, was minding her parents’ West Highland terrier pup Bella when it came inside with a piece of meat in its mouth just after 8am on Monday 6 August. The nine-month-old dropped the meat, which was about the size of a tennis ball, revealing six mysterious blue pellets embedded inside. “I had no idea what it was, it was bizarre,” Maria said. “It looked like a child’s meatball with vitamins and I took pictures of it. Then I found another meatball on the deck and realised there was something serious going on. “I took them to work and was told the dog had been baited.” She took the dog to the vet for a blood test and was relieved when told it was showing no illeffects. Maria, who has two older dogs, has distributed a flyer to spread the word about the poisoning attempt to her neighbours in Cornwall Crescent, Hall and Hove roads and Somerset Drive, Mt Martha. Mornington police, who are investigating the incident, said the suspected poison had not been identified late last week. “Anyone with a problem, such as a dog’s barking, should come to your door and talk about it,”
MELINDA Lampard and daughter Dakota who was kept warn at Frankston Hospital thanks to equipment bought with money raised bylast year’s Kids’ Fun Run with K163.
Fun run a warm-up for Dakota MEATBALLS suspected of being baited with poison for dogs. Picture: Supplied
Maria said. “There’s no face-to-face conversation anymore because people are always staring at their computer screens.” She said the sinister incident was unsettling. “Why try to poison a dog and then make me suffer while watching it suffer,” she asked. “What if a child had picked up the bait and tried to eat it?” Police urge pet owners to be alert for any suspicious substances in their yards. Pets that appear to have been poisoned should be taken immediately to a vet. Anyone with information is urged to call Mornington police 5970 4900 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
AFTER being born five weeks premature, Dakota Lampard is now thriving after spending time in a“baby warmer” at Frankston Hospital’s special care nursery. Nurse unit manager Alison Conroy-Joyce said the warmer was bought last year with money raised from the annual Kids’ Fun Run with K163. Mt Eliza Rotary Club and Peninsula Health hold the annual event where children race the historic steam train K163 at Moorooduc Railway Station on 18 November. Last year the run raised $15,000, which was used to buy the CosyTherm baby warmer as well as a phototherapy light to treat jaundice in infants, six cots and oxygen and heart rate probes. “Management of body temperature in premature babies is often challenging as they can get cold very quickly, which potentially can have serious implications,” Ms Conroy-Joyce said.
Dakota’s mother Melinda Lampard said her daughter was born premature, weighing 1.9kg. “After I suddenly went into labour on 23 June, everything was going well and then unfortunately we had a couple of setbacks,” Ms Lampard said. “She got a stuffy nose and was very sluggish and that’s when she needed the CosyTherm. It helped her regulate her temperature and start breastfeeding again – it really worked wonders. “She’s [at home now] kicking goals, gaining weight every day. We’re so proud of her.” Ms Lampard said the doctors and nurses at the special care nursery were “amazing”. “Any question or concern I’d have, they were always there to help and give advice. I wish I could have taken the nurses home with me.” Registrations are now open for the 18 November Kids’ Fun Run with K163 at k163funrun. org.au/
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Mornington News
14 August 2018
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