A dog owner from the Rannoch area thought her elderly Labrador had been bitten by an adder when the pet became “like a zombie” and started twitching.
But after the animal was rushed to the vet, it was found to be suffering severe effects from a ‘neurotoxin’ after being accidentally poisoned, probably by eating rotten bait left by fishermen or human waste contaminated with drugs.
The “very stressful” incident last week resulted in the dog staying overnight at the vets surgery on a drip.
The Labrador recovered but her owner is angry that this was likely a result of ‘dirty campers’ who had recently left Loch Rannoch.
The woman, who did not wish to be named, told the PA her dog was saved by the quick action of a knowledgeable vet.
She had gone for a walk on Tuesday at a place on the lochside where, only the day before, she had “cleared up mess” abandoned by visitors.
She believes the dog ate something she had missed along the shore, rubbish left behind by visitors who had been fishing.
“They had left a rod rest and dead bait fish around as well as the usual detritus and human waste,” she said.
“The vet managed to save her and thinks it was drugs or something rotten that had produced a neurotoxin.
“When we got back to the car, she became zombie-like, not recognising me and twitching and jumping each time I went to touch her.
“Because she’s quite old, I thought she’d had a stroke or been bitten by an adder. She must have eaten something toxic.
“The rubbish from dirty campers already this year is disgusting. And this is before we even get out of lockdown.
“Locals living near me are very concerned. Everybody is anticipating it is going to get much worse.
“The government needs to make it easier for councils to make bylaws to prevent this kind of problem.
“As it is, it is extremely difficult to change the law, the onus is on police and authorities collecting evidence. People have to be caught actually in the act of dropping litter or endangering wildlife.”
Last weekend the grumbles of residents at other Highland Perthshire troublespots were growing.
Reporting on a page which seeks to ‘manage’ camping in the zone taking in lochs Rannoch, Tummel and Tay, one Tummel resident alerted others about groups of campers ignoring lockdown restrictions.
Police Scotland has been reminding the public about their ‘rural responsibilities’: “The past weekends have seen the beginning of the regular issues we see taking place in various picturesque countryside locations across Tayside, mostly but not exclusively in Perth And Kinross.
“Numerous campers have been moved on, or given fixed penalties where they have broken COVID regulations.
“Some have left mess behind them or caused damage, and we are already aware of incidents involving pets becoming ill by eating rubbish left behind by campers, unacceptable piles of rubbish and waste left behind, and of water courses being contaminated by campers’ waste.
“It is worth bearing in mind that COVID restrictions are still in place. No-one should be ‘wild camping’ at the moment, and travel outwith your own local authority areas for the purpose of visiting these locations is not yet permitted.
“Please leave places the way you find them, park sensibly and appropriately, and enjoy yourselves safely and in line with government safety guidelines.”
