It has come to our attention via Yahoo groups, including B.O.C.A., that some dogs have been dying in Capital Paradise, Shunyi District. The death count of dead dogs is rumored to be anywhere from five upwards to 20 dogs.
The cause of the dog’s deaths is unknown, but it could be poison. Infected dogs were healthy, but suddenly showed signs of illness and passed away in a few hours. Symptoms range from running around, strange barking, salivating, and vomiting to cramping and running a high temperature. Once dead, their bodies remained stiff. While the symptoms point to rabies, at least one of the dogs was definitely vaccinated against rabies and it is more likely that it is poison. Reports show that the dogs probably ate something off the street. Whatever they ate could have been poisoned, but there is no testing to confirm this.
In the meantime, here are some tips from a Yahoo group user. Dog owners should keep their dogs on a leash and make sure they don’t eat anything off the streets. This includes keeping them from eating grass. Another tip is that Capital Paradise seems to be the only area where these dogs were affected. Until things get sorted, keep your pooch out of Capital Paradise. And for those who live there, walk your dog outside the compound.
While dog owners should beware, parents should also exercise caution in the area. If it is poison, then children can become infected too. A bit of scary news from Shunyi, but if we all practice safety, including up-to-date vaccinations (rabies and distemper) and avoiding the possibly infected area, hopefully, there will be no more dead dogs, or otherwise.
