Toy poodle Bondi’s owners were in for a surprise after their recent walk. Bondi, an eight-month old, had begun stumbling which left his owners puzzled until they took him to the vet. It turns out, Bondi was stoned. Upon further investigation, Colleen Briggs, Bondi’s owner, realized the poodle had eaten a discarded joint while they were out.
Unfortunately, Bondi’s story isn’t unique, as more and more cases of marijuana poisoning in dogs are popping up. This can be attributed to the uptick in recreational pot dispensaries and the number of users who don’t seem to be aware of the dangers of disposing of unfinished joints. This, in turn, means that more and more dogs are coming across, and ingesting the discarded joints and edibles, resulting in numerous cases of marijuana poisoning.
These cases were almost unheard of pre-dispensary days, according to New York City based veterinarian Dr. Amy Attas. This can be attributed to people using marijuana on the street and leaving the unwanted ends of their joints on the sidewalk. Dr. Attas has already treated six cases of marijuana poisoning in the first three months of the year, which is an alarmingly high number.
These poisonings are both expensive and stressful, usually requiring a visit to the animal emergency room, a stomach pump and intravenous fluids. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reported there was an 11 per cent increase in cases from approximate 6,200 cases reported in 2021, and over the past five years, there has been a 300 per cent rise. This highlights the severity of the situation and the need for more awareness about the dangers of littering for our furry friends.
Sue Scott, owner of nine-month-old pug Circe, was in a panic when her pup collapsed one day. It turned out Circe had caught and eaten a discarded joint and was showing all the signs of being high. This incident is evidence that pet owners need to be more mindful of where their pets are sniffing and poking their noses.
This article shares the story of two pet owners in the middle of a concerning issue for many pet owners across the U.S. These marijuana poisonings pose a real threat to pets and the need for greater awareness of disposing marijuana safely is pertinent to both pet owners and smokers. Although no one can ever be sure of the bad things that happen to our furry friends, one can try their best to be vigilant and take the necessary precautions.
New York City opened the first legal recreational pot dispensary last year, which shows the shift in the acceptability of marijuana. It is important to remember that although legal, marijuana can be dangerous if not used properly. It is ultimately the responsibility of the users to be more conscious of their surroundings and dispose of their marijuana waste responsibly.
