'Such a violation': B.C. woman says dogs poisoned by backyard intruder
A woman from B.C.'s Okanagan is shaken and keeping a close eye on her beloved dogs after she says they were poisoned by someone who snuck into her backyard and left trays of meat doused in anti-freeze for the pups to eat.
Deidra, who did not want to give her last name, livesin Lake Country. She tells CTV News her dogs got sick on Thursday evening. She let them out to relieve themselves around dinner time. When Jake, a three-year-old Aussiedoodle and Sofiya. , a four-year-old Bernedoodle returned, it was immediately clear something was wrong.
"They came back in and immediately started vomiting and then wanted to go right back outside. It's dark outside already at four o'clock, so I went out there with them and I found two big trays of meat in our yard – one placed in one corner, one placed in another," she said.
"It was really alarming but my first thought wasn't to think that somebody's poisoning them."
The next morning, with the dogs still lethargic and ill, Diedra took another look at the trays she had put in her freezer and found the contents hadn't frozen at all overnight.
"It was really scary," she told CTV News, saying she then rushed the animals to the vet.
A dog owner in B.C. says these trays of meat, that were doused in a liquid she believes was anti-freeze, were left in her backyard. Photo submitted to CTV News.
The canines' condition has improved since Friday, and Diedra says by Sunday they had more energy and had finally eaten something.
But she's still extremely rattled and has installed a security camera to capture what happens in her yard.
"It's such a violation. It just makes you not want to be outside of your house. I will not let them outside without me right beside them at all -- and I never will,' she said.
Diedra says she reported the incident to police, who told her they have not received any similar complaints. However, officers have been following up and patrolling the area.
"They have been here constantly. It's something that it seems like they are taking very seriously which is comforting," she said.
The neighbourhood, according to Diedra is home to multiple dog owners whom she has since warned about what happened to her pets.
"Everyone is on high alert. Nobody's letting their dog out of their house. Everybody is like terrified," she added.
Until she has some answers about who may have done this and why, she's hoping no other dogs will be harmed and that whoever came onto her property does not return.
The Kelowna RCMP, in a statement, is asking for anyone with information to contact them immediately.
"The RCMP will continue to investigate this completely unnecessary and extremely cruel crime," wrote Const. Mike Della-Paolera.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
WATCH Expecting an interest rate cut in June? Don't bet on it after new jobs data
Canada's labour market rebounded in April, adding more than 90,000 jobs, a staggering number of new positions after four consecutive months of little change.
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.