Flint's Water Crisis Is Now Poisoning Dogs, Too

Flint's human crisis is also affecting the Michigan city's dog population, as several canines have been poisoned by lead-tainted water.

According to the Detroit Free Press, two dogs in the Flint area have tested positive for lead toxicity. Both cross-bred dogs are still alive, state veterinarian Dr. James Averill told the Free Press. One of the dogs is a pet, while the other is a stray, Averill also said.

“There is no regular testing for lead,” Averill told CBS Detroit. “What we do is we rely on the veterinarians who have the boots on the ground that are interacting with their clients and looking at the patients in front of them. When they are concerned or suspect a lead toxicity may be possible, they let us know at that time and then we work with them moving forward from there.”

State officials have not released any additional information about the condition of the two dogs that were poisoned by the tainted water, NBC News reported. They are, however, asking that Flint residents avoid giving the tainted water to their dogs, as lead poisoning in canines can lead to gastrointestinal issues, weakness and even seizures, the report added.

Averill also told CBS Detroit they've had very few dogs test positive for lead toxicity in the Flint area, but urges all pet owners to only feed their animals the same water they're drinking. Because so much of the drinking water is coming from a limited supply of bottled water delivered to homes, he said there's another option in the winter months that's safer than drinking the tainted tap water.

"Probably melt some snow," he told the Free Press. "And it would be safer, if your only other choice is feeding them straight Flint water."

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