Aussie bloke’s heartbreak as his six-month-old puppy dies after walk on Kawana Beach, Queensland

A man said he is ‘absolutely heartbroken’ after his six-month-old puppy died  following a walk at a popular beach – one of a mysterious spate of five dog deaths in 72 hours. 

Dusty Sammon took his rescue pup Yindi for a walk on August 3 along Kawana Beach on Queensland‘s Sunshine Coast.  

Mr Sammon said Yindi was having a great time ‘sniffing and playing’ with other dogs but at 8pm became very ill.   

Mr Sammon said he is ‘absolutely heartbroken’ because Yindi  had gotten into his heart and was his best mate (pictured, Sammon and Yindi)

‘We got home at about… 8 o’clock and she just started vomiting and became really ill very quickly,’ Mr Sammon told 7News.

‘By about 10.30pm we had her at the vet, and she was vomiting and diarrhoea non-stop.’

Yindi’s condition worsened and she was put down three days later after her sickness turned into acute renal failure. 

‘Each day got worse and worse, she was spending the whole day at the vet on IV,’ Mr Sammon said. 

‘Saturday afternoon they called me and said the best option was to let her go.

‘Despite their best efforts and tests and medications and antibiotics, nothing was improving and turned into acute renal failure.’

Mr Sammon is now warning fellow dog owners to stay clear of the nine-kilometre Kawana Beach stretch (pictured, Sammon and Yindi)

Mr Sammon said he was ‘absolutely heartbroken’ as Yindi had gotten into his heart and was his best mate. He is now warning fellow dog owners to stay clear of the nine-kilometre Kawana Beach stretch. 

‘Serious warning to all dog owners, stay clear of Kawana beach stretch at the moment, there’s been 5 dogs in last 72 hours died soon after being there and a lot more seriously ill but survived,’ Mr Sammon wrote on Facebook on Tuesday.  

‘This doesn’t seem like a coincidence so I’d recommend steering clear for now. Please share around as I don’t want any other beloved pets to die or anyone else to go through what I have.’ 

Experts suspect poisonings have claimed the lives of at least five dogs while many others have been rushed to vet hospitals requiring life-saving treatment.

All dogs had visited either Buddina Beach or surrounding beaches Kawana, Minyama, Point Cartwright and La Balsa prior to falling ill.

The RSPCA has declared the matter a ‘current priority investigation’ and is working in partnership with Queensland Police and the local council.

At least five dogs have died after going for walks on beaches in Queensland (pictured is Billy the beagle)

Owners took their dogs for walks on Buddina Beach (pictured) and other nearby beaches on the Sunshine Coast including Kawana, Minyama, Point Cartwright and La Balsa

North Coast Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care has issued a public warning for dog owners to ‘use caution’ when visiting identified areas with their furry friends and to keep a vigilant eye to ensure they don’t drink or eat anything of which the origins are unknown.

‘We unfortunately have had a series of patients presenting with alike symptoms that may suggest a toxicity by ingestion,’ the clinic posted.

‘Although we are unable to confirm the cause of these presentations the link to these patients is the area that they have walked within the 12 hours prior.

‘Symptoms to look out for are gastrointestinal upsets, lethargy, or any change to your pets behaviour.

‘We have chosen to err on the side of caution and have made local authorities aware.’

Rescue dog Sophie died after a suspected poisoning incident at Buddina beach, which left her owner ‘absolutely heartbroken’

A doggie day care centre also issued a similar warning as it expressed heartbreak over the death of Billy the beagle – one of it’s much-loved clients. 

‘Our heart is broken. Our beautiful boy Billy seems to have been a victim of poisoning,’ Doggie Adventure Playhouse wrote.

‘Dogs are our hearts, our love, our companions and faithful cuddle buddies. 

‘Our loving thoughts and cuddles go out to Billy’s beautiful and heartbroken parents.’

Billy’s owners, Val and Peter Logan, told the ABC they took Billy for a walk to the beach and he returned home ‘quite happily’.

Half-an-hour after bringing him back, the two-year-old pup began to vomit incessantly to the point Mr and Mrs Logan had to rush him to the emergency vet. Billy died later that evening.

Silver Lining Pet Rescue Inc announced on August 3 one of its rescue dogs Sophie died after a suspected poisoning incident at Buddina beach.

He, like Mr and Mrs Logan, had taken his dog for a walk on the beach on Friday afternoon.  

But Sophie became severely ill at night and died. 

Another dog owner Tara Clegg said her cattle dog Max drank from the water bowl at the old gate 13 access along Kawana beach on last Tuesday before he died three days later.   

The RSPCA confirmed its investigating with assistance of police and the local council.

The RSPCA has launched an investigation into the mysterious spate of deaths in conjunction with Queensland Police and the local council (stock image) 

‘The focus of investigation is to attempt to locate cause of recent spate of poisoning on the Sunshine Coast to determine if origin was intentional, accidental or environmental,’ an RSPCA  spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.

‘Anyone who suspects their dog may have ingested something toxic are encouraged to seek immediate veterinary treatment.

‘We’re urging all dog walkers to remain vigilant and keep an eye on their pet so they don’t drink or eat anything of which the origins are unknown. ‘

The council said the exact cause of the poisonings remains unclear.

‘Sunshine Coast Council expresses our condolences to our community members who have lost their beloved pet as a result of the suspected poisonings,’ a spokeswoman said.

‘Council has taken precautionary measures to reduce the risk of animals drinking possibly contaminated water by emptying and sanitising all dog water bowls in the area. 

‘We are also working to remove any loose water bowls and seal any fixed bowls to prevent access.’

Pet owners to keep their dogs in sight at all times while in off leash areas and to ensure their dog is responsive to voice commands before letting them off leash so they can be called away from unknown food sources.

Pet owners should also watch out for signs of gastro, breathlessness or listlessness.

Dog owners who suspect their pet may have ingested something toxic are urged to report it to RSPCA on 1300 ANIMAL or police.