“Horrendous”: People’s Experience of their Dog’s Death from 1080 Baiting

Human–animal relationships are often significant and intimate, with dogs having a meaningful presence in many people’s lives. This study investigated the impact of 1080 poisoning on their humans. (sodium fluoroacetate) is common lethal poison used Australia to control animal populations, including parks reserves bordering residential areas. People companion may use these areas for leisure exercise, unintended harm death caused who consume baits. Seven Australian participants shared experience dog’s from via in-depth semi-structured interviews. We applied Reflexive Thematic Analysis using phenomenological perspective identify themes subthemes within across participant accounts. People's dogs’ experiences influenced individual broader human–animal relationships. Three associated were identified: Responsibility, Horror, Traumatic Grief. Before poisoning, people recognized methods necessary; after experience, saw as an inhumane horrific method. first qualitative give voice have been unintentionally harmed by 1080. can inform decision-making government agencies, conservation organizations, carers impacts baiting.