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In the Sauerland region, a dog dies a painful death from poison bait. The image of Frieda suffering haunts her owners. They no longer feel safe.
Amecke – The residents of the tranquil Sundern-Amecke in Sauerland (NRW) are horrified: The Kroschke family’s beloved dog Frieda is dead. Most likely poisoned. The grief and dismay is dominated by one question: Who would do something like that to an animal? At the same time, those affected want to warn other dog owners.
It has been around four weeks now since “mistress” Susanne Kroschke noticed changes in her eight-year-old greyhound Frieda. “At first it was diarrhea. I thought that could happen, it was very warm. But then she didn’t eat, was very restless, shivered and vomited blood,” the dog owner describes. The next morning she went straight to the vet, where Frieda was given injections and infusions, but they were no longer able to help her. The beloved dog died that same evening.
“Trembling and vomiting blood”: Dog dies painfully from poison bait in Sauerland
When the doctor asked whether the animal could have eaten poison, the Kroschkes were initially sure that they couldn’t imagine it. “Our greyhounds are always on a leash, so you would notice if one of them ingested something while out for a walk,” Susanne Kroschke emphasised. But then husband Ralf Kroschke found a piece of plastic sheeting in the garden. Suspecting that someone had thrown poisoned bait over the high metal garden fence, the couple reported the incident to the police.
After the death of their dog, they are worried about their two greyhounds: Susanne and Ralf Kroschke with Lucca and Finn. © Rebecca Weber
When asked, the police of the Hochsauerland district confirmed that a report had been filed and that the criminal investigation department had taken over the investigation.
“Fear for our dogs and our grandchildren”
“We are worried about our dogs, and also about our grandchildren who play in the garden. You no longer feel safe in your own garden,” she describes her feelings. Another thought is bothering her: “We got the dog from the animal shelter, promised her a good life here – and then something like this happens.” The Kroschkes can’t stop thinking about the suffering, dying animal, even at night. Before they let their greyhounds Finn and Lucca out, they will first check the garden carefully.
In the meantime, two more poison bait was found in the “An der Hespe” area in Amecke – right on the popular walking path at the forebay in Amecke. Another dog had to have its stomach pumped. The couple therefore wants to warn other dog owners and raise awareness. “There are a lot of people walking their dogs at the forebay in particular, and the animals are not always on a leash. So take good care of your animals,” is the appeal from Ralf and Susanne Kroschke. “This means that our Frieda will not come back, but we can perhaps prevent anyone else from having to go through something like this.”
In Lengerich, four dogs belonging to one owner apparently fell victim to poison bait. Little Luna died. Friends have started a fundraising campaign. Bulldog Ayla from the animal shelter is not doing well. She feels so bad that she is even hurting herself. The dog needs a safe home.
