Three pet dogs mourned after suspected baiting at popular walking spot

Authorities are investigating allegations three pet dogs died after being baited at a popular walking spot in the Murray River town of Echuca in northern Victoria.

Yvette Height said her two beloved dogs and a dog belonging to her brother died suddenly on Monday just hours after her husband walked them on a grassy area near the Echuca Harness Racing Club.

"We've been walking our dogs in this area on and off for the last 20-plus years … and never had any problem before so we're just absolutely devastated at what's happened," she told ABC Central Victoria Breakast.

She said her husband saw the dogs with something in their mouths while they were playing but wasn't concerned until her daughter found them in a "critically ill" condition in their backyard just hours later.

"Seizures, vomiting, diarrhoea. Just very horrendous … absolutely traumatic for the both of them," she said.

Ms Height said the dogs were rushed to a nearby vet clinic but it was "too late".

"My dogs died on the vet floor within about 15 minutes … they didn't have a chance.

"[They were] very happy, healthy and just gorgeous dogs that would never hurt a flea. Completely innocent in all of this."

Yvette's sister, Michelle Height, said the family was in shock.

"It was just terrible, it was a real tragedy.

"The dogs were a real centre of our family."

Michelle Height said the family didn't have autopsies done to determine the cause of the dogs' deaths.

"The vet said by the symptoms and how quickly they died it could've been fox bait or another poison only farmers are meant to use," she said.

She said five other pet owners had reached out to the family reporting ill dogs after walking at the trotting club, in response to social media posts warning others.

Yvette Height said she contacted police, but was told they would not be looking into the matter and referred the family to the RSPCA, which is investigating.

"This matter is an active investigation and no further information is available at this time," the RSPCA said in a statement.

"Short of someone seeing the person laying the bait, we will never get justice for our dogs. But it would be nice if the police could try," Ms Height said.

Club cordons off area

Echuca Harness Racing Club president Shane Gloury said the club was concerned the deaths were the result of a "deliberate and malicious act".

"No-one associated with the race club has been putting any type of poison or any similar type of substance in that area," he said.

"It is a fairly popular area for walking pets and it comes as a real shock and concern that potentially this type of thing could happen."

Michelle Height said her family also believed a person deliberately placed bait for dogs.

"Maybe occasionally a dog might've barked but our dogs didn't bark.

"We've got no idea [why].

"I think we'll just never let any more dogs off the lead … it just doesn't feel safe anymore."

The club has since cordoned off the eastern part of the raceway where the substance was seen and put up warning signs as a precaution.

Campaspe Shire Council director Jo Bradshaw said the council was "aware of allegations relating to the baiting of animals".

"While council is not the lead investigating authority for this matter, it takes these allegations seriously and acknowledges the importance of ensuring animal welfare and community confidence," she said.

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