Dog nearly kills owner in attack after being fed THC gummy, Michigan official says
A dog recently attacked and seriously injured its owner after being fed a THC-infused gummy in Michigan, an animal control official says.
The attack “was not provoked,” and “the owner almost died,” Melissa FitzGerald, director of Otsego County Animal Control, told McClatchy News.
The owner had the dog for at least three years without any issues, she said. It’s a large dog but not a breed commonly responsible for attacks.
When animal control responded to the scene and took custody of the dog, they learned the owner had given it a THC gummy, FitzGerald said.
“My whole reason for getting this out there is to make people more aware of what could happen,” she said.
Michigan is one of a growing number of states to legalize recreational marijuana, and as it becomes more commonplace, FitzGerald wants pet owners to be aware of the potential risks.
THC is the psychoactive component of marijuana that makes users feel high. Pet owners who use cannabis products might think that because using THC feels good for them, it will probably feel good for their dog, too — but it’s not that simple.
Marijuana is toxic to many pets, dogs included, according to the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Exposure to THC can have seemingly harmless effects on dogs, but it can also cause aggression, as well as restlessness, fast heart rate and a variety of other symptoms.
“The whole point is there’s not any warning labels. You hear all about chocolate, you hear all about grapes and raisins,” FitzGerald said. “Nowhere does it say, ‘Hey, you know what, THC and dogs don’t mix.’”
How THC could affect one dog is different than how it might affect another, FitzGerald said. It’s not a chance worth taking.
“You don’t know what you’re going to get. What it comes down to is they should be kept securely away from pets and kids,” she said. “Unless your vet says it’s OK to give something to your pet, don’t do it.”
Otsego County is roughly 240 miles northwest of Detroit.