The suspected poisoning of Gemma Jenkins' family dog Meg, by slug bait, was being treated as suspicious as the family do not use bait or chemicals in their garden and the dog rarely leaves the property.
''She honestly was the best dog ever,'' Mrs Jenkins said.
''She was one of those dogs that everyone loved.''
Mrs Jenkins (33) was unsure how Meg might have ingested the poison as the dog never ''strayed'' from their Graham St home. She was concerned it may have been done deliberately.
''The vet thought it might have been a poison because she went downhill so quick.''
Mrs Jenkins said she noticed Meg acting strangely late last month when the 8 year old springer spaniel's back legs were not functioning correctly after playing in the vegetable garden.
The family took the dog to the vet after it became increasingly tired and developed mouth abscesses and ulcers.
Meg's condition deteriorated rapidly and she died the next day.
Mrs Jenkins was now worried for her children.
''It's a bit concerning, personally, having two kids as well,'' she said.
''It would be very strange to me that she [the dog] would be helping herself to a bag of snail bait.''
Sergeant Kevin Davidson said they were suspicious a person may have deliberately poisoned the dog.
''She [the dog] was a family pet, non-aggressive and a non-barker [and] the dog doesn't appear to have left the property.
''The family has no idea why she [the dog] would have been targeted.
''There is a significant safety issue relating to the owner's children that could extend to other children in the area.''
Wal's Plant Land employee John Farquharson said most slug baits had a taste repellent to deter pets from eating it.
''I think it would be unusual for a dog to eat it,'' he said.
Anyone with any information should contact Mosgiel police on (03) 489-3534.
