“Horrendous”: People’s Experience of Their Dog’s Death From 1080 Baiting

Abstract

Human–animal relationships are often significant and intimate, with dogs having a meaningful presence in many people’s lives. This study investigated the impact of 1080 poisoning on dogs and their humans. 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) is a common lethal poison used in Australia to control animal populations, including in parks and reserves bordering residential areas. People and their companion dogs may use these areas for leisure and exercise, with unintended harm and death caused to dogs who consume 1080 baits. Seven Australian participants shared their experience of their dog’s death from 1080 poisoning via in-depth semi-structured interviews. We applied Reflexive Thematic Analysis using a phenomenological perspective to identify themes and subthemes within and across participant accounts. People's and dogs’ experiences with 1080 influenced individual and broader human–animal relationships. Three themes and associated subthemes were identified: Responsibility, Horror, and Traumatic Grief. Before their dog’s poisoning, people recognized animal control methods were necessary; after their dog’s experience, people saw 1080 as an inhumane and horrific lethal control method. This is the first qualitative study to give voice to people and their dogs who have been unintentionally harmed by 1080. This study can inform decision-making of government agencies, conservation organizations, and animal carers of the impacts of 1080 baiting.