Tuffy, a Tamascan bred dog and the University’s chosen canine mascot, is safe and sound and under “stepped up security,” but four of Tuffy’s pack, including her father and mother, have been maliciously poisoned with a near-lethal antifreeze agent, according to Christina Bannow, Tuffy’s pack owner.

A neighbor dug a hole near the fence guarding Tuffy’s pack in Elizabeth City, N.C., and then planted antifreeze-laced fish where Tuffy’s pack could smell and then dig up the fish, according to Bannow. They proceeded to dig up the contaminated fish, and then were sent to veterinarians at Pasquotank Animal Hospital. Tuffy was not with his pack, and therefore not exposed to the poison.

One of the pack has been released, while the other three were moved to a Virginia hospital and remain there, according to Bannow.

There are two main types of active ingredients in two separately available forms of anitfreeze: one generally safe, and one generally deadly. Ethylene glycol, which causes acute renal failure in canines, generally causes canine death within 24 to 36 hours, according to Clinical Associate Professor Steve Marks.

 ”It’s often hard to know if an animal has ingested this sort of poison because it takes several hours for the effects to become apparent,” said Marks. Marks also said that the symptoms include vomiting, apaxio, and a drunken gate.

Propylene glycol is considered to be less fatal, according to Marks. However, both active ingredients have a “sweet flavor,” to which canines are attracted by both smell and taste.

Tuffy’s pack was poisoned with the more deadly antifreeze agent, evidenced by their “acting drunk.”

Animals also appear intoxicated following the ingestion of ethylene glycol in the amount of one to two ounces for the average size Tamascan, according to David Dorman, the Associate Dean of the Research and Graduate Programs at N.C. State.

Tamaskan dogs, which the NCSU athletic department prefers due to their resemblance to wild wolves, are commonly represented as the mascot at football games.

Lewis Weavil, who attended football this past season, said he agreed with the view the athletic department had of the dogs.

“The Tamaskan dog, Tuffy in particular, was selected by NCSU because its characteristics were very wolf-like,” said Weavil.

Although Tuffy is safe, a student reacted to the poisoning of Tuffy’s family:

“I don’t understand how a pet owner could consciously poison another animal. One of my family’s dogs was poisoned when I was younger, and unfortunately it was done so off of our property and we were not able to find our dog alive,” says Kristen Gentry, a senior in chemistry.

The Technician will be visiting Elizabeth City today to gather further information regarding animal abuse and its consequences.