Multiple dogs in Toronto’s east end required medical attention after consuming a possibly hazardous material, police said Saturday.
Toronto police say they responded to reports of a “suspicious incident” after the potentially harmful material was located in Taylor Creek Park Friday evening.
“The dogs located a peanut butter jar with an unknown substance mixed into the peanut butter,” officials said in a release.
Mark Rullo told Global News he was walking his dog and a neighbour’s dog when they encountered the material.
He said the peanut butter caught the attention of the dogs and he noticed the unusual contents of the jar when he attempted to get the dogs away from it.
“I was panicking when I saw it, because there were little pellets of things and little bricks of things inside, so it looked like somebody had intentionally mixed something in,” Rullo said.
He said both dogs were taken to the vet for treatment.
“(The vet) took the peanut butter jar, rifled through that, and determined it was rat poison,” Rullo said.
Luckily, the dogs are doing well, he said. His dog will be on medication for the next month as a precaution.
“I’m totally disgusted that somebody intentionally did this,” Rullo said.
Officers say the substance may be harmful, or possibly deadly, particularly if ingested by animals or children.
According to police, the material will be tested further to confirm the exact substance.
In the meantime, officers are asking the public to be cautious with their pets.
“Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying any person or persons responsible for the dispersal of this unknown substance,” police said in a statement.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5500, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.