Dog owners who use an off-leash area of Little Mountain Park are concerned about poison pellets used to kill Richardson ground squirrels in the park.
One user posted online about dogs ingesting the pellets, getting sick, and needing vet care.
The City of Winnipeg says the holes created by the ground squirrels are unsafe for people using the park, especially on athletic fields. The city has used the pellets to control ground squirrel populations for many years.
The city says the pellets are used in Little Mountain Park but not in the off-leash dog area.
The pest control method is also used in three other parks that are not off-leash dog parks.
In response to concerns, the city suspended operations and is now in talks with the contractor placing the pellets.
The city says a dog would need to ingest 10 kilograms to die, and they don't use that much poison in the parks, but dogs could get sick ingesting less.
Jordan Lobe, a Little Mountain Park board member, is pleased the city is taking this seriously and hopes it will consider switching methods to control ground squirrels.
Speaking on behalf of the dog-owner whose black lab needed vet care after eating pellets, he says the city said it will cover the dog's medical costs due to the situation. The dog is doing well now.
