A dog owner suspected of using her French bulldog as a ‘drugs mule’ to transport narcotics has been arrested after the pooch was found with 53 crack rocks inside it when it was rushed to a vet.
The dog, named Antonieta, was taken to a clinic in Joinville, in southern Brazil, on Friday, 17th April, after ingesting the drugs earlier that day, according to vets.
She arrived in a critical state, suffering seizures, severe neurological symptoms, heart rhythm problems, gastrointestinal issues and nosebleeds.
Veterinary staff quickly became suspicious after spotting the drugs on an X-ray and contacted police, who arrested the owner at the scene.
Picture shows the French bulldog puppy, named Antonieta, which was taken to a veterinary clinic in Joinville, Brazil. It ingested 55 rocks of crack cocaine. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@centroveterinariofloresta/Newsflash/NX)
Investigators are now working to establish whether the animal was being used as a “mule” to transport narcotics or whether there is another explanation for how the drugs ended up inside her.
Before taking the dog to the clinic, the owner had reportedly called a vet to the house and even taken Antonieta to an agricultural store to buy pet medicine, but her condition continued to worsen.
Picture shows the French bulldog puppy, named Antonieta, which was taken to a veterinary clinic in Joinville, Brazil. It ingested 55 rocks of crack cocaine. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@centroveterinariofloresta/Newsflash/NX)
In a desperate bid to save her life, vets who suspected she had swallowed something toxic induced vomiting, and Antonieta brought up around 48 crack rocks.
Further scans, including X-rays and an ultrasound, revealed more substances still inside her stomach.
Picture shows the French bulldog puppy, named Antonieta, which was taken to a veterinary clinic in Joinville, Brazil. It ingested 55 rocks of crack cocaine. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@centroveterinariofloresta/Newsflash/NX)
She was then subjected to an endoscopy, during which another five rocks were removed. The procedure was followed by a gastric wash and the use of activated charcoal to reduce toxin absorption.
Crack is a cheap, smokable form of cocaine sold in small rocks, with each piece often costing only a tiny amount on the street, making it one of the most destructive drugs in many poorer urban areas.
Picture shows the French bulldog puppy, named Antonieta, which was taken to a veterinary clinic in Joinville, Brazil. It ingested 55 rocks of crack cocaine. Note: Photo is a screenshot from video. (Newsflash/NX)
That made the case even more shocking, because if the packages had broken down inside the dog’s stomach, the amount of stimulant released could have killed her within minutes.
The plastic wrapping on some of the rocks had already started to unravel, and loose film could be seen, but it may also have slowed the release enough for vets to intervene in time.
Picture shows the ingested drugs of the French bulldog puppy named Antonieta, which was taken to a veterinary clinic in Joinville, Brazil. It ingested 55 rocks of crack cocaine. Note: Private photo. (Katia Fernandez/Newsflash/NX)
That delay appears to have been crucial, allowing the drugs to be removed before a full, fatal dose was absorbed into the dog’s system.
Remarkably, Antonieta survived the ordeal and is now in a stable condition, although she remains under observation to assess any possible long-term damage.
Picture shows the ingested drugs of the French bulldog puppy named Antonieta, which was taken to a veterinary clinic in Joinville, Brazil. It ingested 55 rocks of crack cocaine. Note: Private photo. (Katia Fernandez/Newsflash/NX)
The clinic confirmed the dog has since been adopted by a new owner, offering her a fresh start after the shocking case that led to her former owner’s arrest.
(Mike Leidig/NF/NX)
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