KILLINGS MARK LOW POINT OF 2011 ON LAMMA ISLAND
Editor's Note: In late September and early October, about 20 dogs on Hong Kong's Lamma Island died after eating, licking or otherwise contacting poison (probably on tainted meat) left near popular footpaths by an unknown person. Veterinarians who treated the dying dogs believe the poison was paraquat, a powerful herbicide banned in some places, but legal in Hong Kong. A single lick can kill a dog, ultimately of lung failure and other organ damage. Police promised to investigate, but have made no arrests. Below, several people who lost their pets remember the victims. These remarks first appeared in a brochure prepared by film-maker Alba Rayton, whose two dogs were among those killed.
A Letter to GoGo
By Gisela Cheung
I hope that you are alright in heaven. All your friends are heartbroken. We just wonder why such a sweet and loving dog like you would have to leave us so soon.
I never will forget the six good years that we spent together, your smiles, your cheeky begging look.... When I was happy, you were delighted. When I was sad, you looked so worried.... You almost knew my emotions better than me. You were not only my little girl, but my best companion.
I miss you so much, and keep asking why you would be gone just like that.... Don't worry. Time heals. One day, I know we will be with you again.
I have made my statement to the police. Please pray that more evidence will be found so the poisoner can be prosecuted. I also will start to seek a ban on this highly toxic weed-killer. It will be a long journey, but I know you will be watching over me.
Don't miss us too much. Just be a happy, little angel.
Love,
Mama
About Marley
By Solveiga Skendelis
My girl, Marley, was really special. I had her since she was one year old. When I went to the animal shelter to pick a doggy to adopt, I chose her, and she became my girl.
Mind you, she didn't think so at first. She ran away a few times and wasn't the easiest to tame. But we persisted and built our relationship day by day. Turning out to be best friends, we did everything together, like going for long runs around the island, lots of hiking and even shopping.
A sensitive being, she sometimes knew my moods better than I did. We adopted a puppy and fostered many other dogs together.
Losing Marley was like losing a best friend. She was only five years old. We could have had so much more fun. I miss watching her run in the quarry and play with other dogs. In the mornings, I miss her the most – she was such a happy dog to see early each day.
When she fell sick, it was just the second poisoning case, so no one realized immediately what had happened. But I'm told that with paraquat, no one could have done anything to save her.
Devastated, I carried Marley to the ferry in my arms because she had become too weak to walk. People must have thought it was a strange sight because she wasn't a small dog. The prospect of losing her seemed surreal.
Two days later, she felt so much better and was happy to see me. Believing that she would be okay, I went home happy that day.
The next morning, the animal clinic called to say she had stopped breathing. I wish I'd been there for her that night. At the end, she must have been lonely and scared, confused about suddenly getting so sick and weak.
Life goes on for everyone else. I'm sure my other doggy will make new friends, and I'll foster and adopt others. But we just miss Marley a lot. She was one of a kind, and we loved her so much.
About BiBi, Lucky, Fei Mui and Fei Zai
Mr Chan lost four lovely dogs. Tainted bait was thrown into his garden, killing them. Everything happened within the boundaries of his own home, and seeing each of his dear dogs pass away within a very short time, he felt helpless and deeply saddened.
About Guapa and Ginger
By Alba Rayton
Sadly, an outbreak of dog-poisoning happened on Lamma Island. My husband and I lost our cherished dogs, Guapa and Ginger. Many of our friends and fellow Lamma residents lost their pets too.
Some people love dogs more than others do, but to those who share their lives with dogs, the feelings between pets and humans are very powerful. Needlessly losing pet dogs is deeply tragic.
Probably done by one person, the poisoning involved a very dangerous substance that could kill people too. These weren't the first cases. In the past, other dogs died similarly. As a community, we should stay vigilant to prevent more such tragedy.
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