Dog massacre with pesticide for theft: methomyl poisoning

Abstract

In this case report, acute methomyl poisoning in dogs is described by pathological and toxicological findings for the first time in Turkey. Five of the thirty stray dogs that were found dead within 1-2 days after eating the foodstuffs in an industrial area in Konya were necropsied. Grossly, undigested pieces of chicken meat with a mild insecticidal smell in stomach of all dogs were found and toxicological analysis by GC-MS revealed toxic levels of methomyl in the stomach contents (15.7-17.8 ppm) and, intestines, livers and kidneys (1.2-2.9 ppm) also. In addition, histopathologically degenerative and necrotic changes were observed in liver, brain, lung, kidneys and gastrointestinal system mucosa. Postmortem and histopathological examinations and toxicological analyses revealed that deaths were related to methomyl poisoning and it has been subsequently learned from the police officers and printed media that this poison had been deliberately infected to dog food for the purpose of theft committed in the industrial area. Publishing these intentional poisoning events, we have wanted to draw attention to that more serious measures and statutory regulations should be taken by governments about animal rights.