This past month, we’ve received multiple tips from readers reporting behaviors ranging from pet-unfriendly to possibly dangerous. Aware that many pet owners were put on edge by the infamous poison meatballer, we felt we should share what we’ve heard from our readers so folks can be on the lookout and know what to do if they see anything suspicious.
Yesterday, a reader shared reports of someone breaking glass plates near fountains and trees in Alamo Square (namely, places where dogs drink water and relieve themselves). We investigated and were unable to see any of the glass for ourselves, but did notice broken terracotta shards around some sidewalk-planted trees on Steiner Street.
We checked in with Animal Care and Control, who said that the practice of placing broken terracotta pieces around sidewalk plants is legal. However, it can hurt sensitive paws, so be on the lookout while out walking your dog.
Also, a few weeks back, we got another tip from an Inner Sunset reader who reported a woman pouring an unknown liquid on the sidewalk. The woman was reportedly angry and told a neighbor that the liquid would harm dogs if they came near it, and that she was tired of people not cleaning up after their dogs. Animal control was alerted, and when they arrived they saw no evidence of liquid on the ground, and could not ascertain whether anything dangerous was going on.
It should be noted that all animals must be kept on leash (except in designated areas) and that owners must at all times clean up after their pets. However, if you do witness any resident acting in a disgruntled way toward our precious pooches, there are two numbers you can call:
- SF Animal Control Emergency Hotline: (415) 554-9400
- SFPD Non Urgent Hotline: (415) 553 -0123
What are some telltale signs of an animal that’s either stepped on a foreign object or been poisoned, involuntarily or otherwise? We caught up with Jennifer Tacy, a Registered Veterinary Technician at the San Francisco Pet Hospital to give us some insight.
“We do see clients from time to time with poisoning or foreign bodies from the park. Sometimes homeless people will use the bathroom in the park and the feces will have drugs in it and the dogs will start acting strange when they get home,” she told us.
Tacy says that symptoms from poisoning usually show up within the hour and things to look out for are sudden weakness, disorientation, sudden collapse, vomiting, or drooling. If you see any of these things, you should take your dog to the vet right away so they can induce vomiting or pursue other treatments.
If a dog or cat steps on something like broken glass, Tacy says that owners can sometimes remove the object themselves with tweezers, but that other times the dogs need to be brought into the vet so they can be sedated in order to pull the pieces out. Here are some helpful numbers for pet hospitals in the area:
- SF Pet Hospital: (415) 931-8312
- Blue Cross Pet Hospital: (415) 931-5550
- 24 Hour Urgent Care
- Pets Unlimited: (415) 563-6700
- All Animals Emergency: (415) 566-0531
Have you seen anything suspicious around the neighborhood lately, specifically near Alamo Square Park? Send us a tip or let us know in the comments.
And remember, practicing responsible pet ownership should always be a priority. Keep your pet up to date with vaccinations, be aware of your surroundings at all times and, of course, always pick up after your dog has done its business.
