Echuca residents are holding their pets a bit tighter this week following news that three dogs have died and several others have fallen ill from suspected poisoning at a popular walking track.

Three dogs from the Height family — Loki, Daisy and Buddy — tragically died on Monday, June 15 after spending time at a walking track near the Echuca South harness racing track.

The owner of Labradors Loki and Daisy, Yvette Height, said the family were regular visitors to the walking track, especially to exercise their dogs on the east side near the grassy area.

While the family had no issues during their Sunday visit, Yvette said that on Monday, the dogs ran straight to a spot just off the track, sniffing out and eating something hidden in the area.

The family’s nightmare began just hours later when Yvette’s brother called to say their dog, Buddy, was violently ill.

“My husband hadn’t noticed (Loki and Daisy) had quietly gone off to be very sick in the furthest part of the garden … they were already violently ill and in a critical condition,” she said.

“They died at the vet in about 15 minutes.”

Buddy held on for a little longer before dying later that day.

It was only about three hours after they were all playing along the track.

Yvette said the vet had told them their sickness was likely due to a type of toxin they had ingested.

“All three of them were beautiful, fun-loving dogs … they just wanted to love everybody and have fun, that was their personality,” Yvette said.

“We’re just all completely devastated and heartbroken and still can’t believe that we’ve lost three dogs within our family.”

After Yvette and her sister shared their story on social media as a warning for other dog owners in the area, similar accounts of suspected poisonings began to emerge.

Just a week earlier, German shepherd Zappa and his owner Terry Culhane had a close call with suspected poisoning in the same spot.

Living close to the track, Terry and Zappa are familiar faces to the local dog-walking community there.

After going there on Saturday, June 13, a few hours later Terry noticed Zappa was foaming at the mouth and shaking.

He rushed Zappa to the vet, where the team administered activated charcoal — a treatment used to bind to toxins and prevent them from entering the bloodstream.

While Zappa survived the poisoning, Terry said it caused complications requiring surgery the following week.

“The (vet) nurse even said to me Zappa is lucky to be here, especially with the other dogs that had come in or passed on the way to the vet,” he said.

“It seems like my dog was the first victim.

“I feel very fortunate and blessed that (Zappa) actually survived, but I’m gutted for Yvette and her family.”

While it is widely believed some form of toxin was placed along the track, investigations with relevant authorities are still under way.

Echuca Harness Racing Club president Shane Gloury said the club immediately launched a sweep of the grounds with council rangers after learning of the dog poisonings.

A scope of the area revealed a dead fox found in the same area mentioned by owners like Yvette and Terry.

“We have concerns that there has been poison potentially placed in that area, and we have reported the matter to the police,” Shane said.

“(Neither) the Echuca Trotting Club (or) the Campaspe Park Raceway Committee of Management has put any baits or poison down, so we are (concerned) that potentially it may have been an act of sabotage.”

He warned dog owners against walking their pets around that area while the club co-operated with relevant authorities in investigating the suspected poisoning.

“We’re trying to do whatever we can do to investigate these incidents,” Shane said.

Despite not being the leading authority in the investigation, Campaspe Shire Council director of communities Jo Bradshaw has said council was “taking these allegations seriously”.

Council confirmed it would continue to liaise with investigating agencies as the inquiry unfolded.

The support online for the Height family and all dogs affected by this suspected poisoning has been overwhelming, with Yvette saying the community had rallied behind them.

Yvette knows that even if those responsible are brought to justice, nothing will bring her dogs back.

For now, her focus is strictly on protecting others.

“If we can save anyone the heartache of having this happen to their dog, it’s worth me putting this out there,” she said.

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Tuesday, 24th April 2029

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