Dog poisoned in reserve

A Leda environmentalist believes her pet dog was deliberately poisoned in retaliation for her outspoken community campaign to protect Leda Nature Reserve.

Jayne Lavender said she was left bereft last week after seven-year-old kelpie Rex died after allegedly ingesting poison just 30m from her home.

Ms Lavender said it was two hours after a regular walk off leash at Leda Nature Reserve on Sunday last week that Rex began to show signs of poisoning.

She said the dog began to suffer seizures while out on a subsequent walk with her husband, Brian Bolton, and later died at Baldivis Vet Hospital.

"At first the vet thought Rex might have eaten pesticide 1080 - but I had a walk over the following morning and found an ice-cream container filled with blood and bone," Ms Lavender said. "I'm quite well known for taking pictures of wildlife in the reserve and have confronted people about certain behaviours and I can't help but think 'were they trying to get my dog?' "

Ms Lavender said she bought her home at Runnymede Gate in the suburb because she wanted to live next door to the reserve.

She said Rex, who accompanied her everywhere, and his companion Dug, frequently accompanied her into the bush.

Baldivis vet surgeon Dr Ashleigh Arbuthnot said there were a number of natural and man-made toxicities that could harm dogs and cats.

She said pet owners should remain vigilant.

An RSPCA spokeswoman said there had not been an increase in reports of suspected dog and cat baiting.

She said the number of reports varied but averaged about one each month.