Poison bait fear in Cologne: dogs in mortal danger in Lohsepark!

Poison bait fear in Cologne: dogs in mortal danger in Lohsepark!

In the beautiful Nippes district of Cologne, where dog owners and their four-legged friends frolic in the parks, a threatening danger is causing unrest. Prepared poison baits consisting of dog food, razor blades and even screws are repeatedly discovered in Lohsepark. Karina Krimmel, a worried dog owner, talks about the fear she regularly feels when going for a walk: “I worry that I might come home with a dead animal.” This is reported by WDR.

The situation is alarming: over 100 residents have already joined together in a WhatsApp group to collect information and warn each other. At the places where poison bait is found, members take photos and mark the locations. A worrying incident occurred when Demian Pitz's dachshund Freddy was eating taxidermied meat and discovered screws. Krimmel's dog was also not spared and had to go to the vet's office to be treated.

Hit list of poison baits

The serious incidents in Cologne are not alone, as the endangered species can be observed nationwide. According to new statistics, Berlin leads the sad ranking with 1,336 reported poison baits since 2021, followed by Hamburg with 850 cases and Munich with 539. But Cologne is also at the top: 506 reports since 2021, 130 of them in the last 365 days alone. The cathedral city takes fourth place in Germany, as t-online reports.

Jan Wittmann, founder of the dog community app Dogorama, emphasizes: “The threat to dogs is not decreasing.” Poison bait is often used, especially in large cities. According to the city administration, 42,458 dogs are now registered in Cologne, which makes the situation all the more urgent. Dog owners are advised to act immediately if they suspect poison bait: “Secure your animals and inform the police,” they advise.

Emergency response and prevention

What to do if poisoning is suspected? Dog owners should take their pet to a veterinarian immediately. If you find poison bait, it is also advisable to secure it with gloves or a feces bag and take a photo of it in order to report it to the police. The poison bait alarm app Dogorama also offers an early warning system that informs users via real-time warnings and community contributions. Over 850,000 users already use the app, which also provides tips on how to avoid dangerous situations.

But it’s not just digital solutions that are important. Practical tips also help to minimize the risk: dogs should be trained not to eat anything from the ground, and dog walks that are considered hotspots should be avoided. A good hand and increased vigilance are needed here more than ever.

The Cologne police have not yet received any official criminal charges regarding the poison bait. Press spokesman Carsten Rust explains that there are no reliable findings on poison bait or impaired dogs, but that monitoring of the affected parks is being intensified. Residents are therefore required to remain vigilant and take responsibility.

There is strength in community. Communication via the app and in neighborhood groups can be crucial to protecting dogs from this fatal danger.