A silent killer is lurking in South Florida yards, and it’s claiming the lives of beloved pets.
Bufo toads, also known as cane toads, are invasive amphibians whose toxic secretions can kill a dog within minutes.
Gail Webb knows the heartbreak all too well.
Two years ago, her champion dachshund, Lambeau, who was pregnant with three puppies at the time, died after a brief encounter with a Bufo toad.
“I can’t get that picture out of my mind — her foaming at the mouth, sitting on my lap, and then dying in my lap,” Webb said, tearing up. “It was the most harrowing experience.”
The incident happened so quickly that Webb and her husband didn’t have time to get Lambeau to the vet. “She just put her mouth to it. It was seconds,” she recalled.
Bufo toads secrete a toxin potent enough to kill even large animals, including elephants.
For dogs, exposure can lead to seizures, organ failure, and death within 15-20 minutes.
Tackling the Toad Problem
Webb enlisted the help of Toad Busters, a professional service specializing in eradicating invasive species.
“During the rainy season, the toads will be found out by the lake here,” said Austin Begon of Toad Busters. “We’ve collected over 500 toads from a single golf course pond. They’re infesting certain areas.”
Begon explained the dangers posed by these toads.
“A dog doesn’t even have to bite the toad. They can touch it with their paw while the toxin is secreting and lick their paw.”
South Florida’s warm climate and abundant water sources make it a haven for the amphibians, which were initially introduced to control agricultural pests. Now, they thrive in residential areas, hiding in mulch, landscaping, and near pools.
To combat the threat, Webb implemented a toad-proofing plan for her property, swapping mulch for heavy rocks and installing mesh barriers to prevent toads from entering her yard.
Raising Awareness
Webb now keeps her dogs, Packer and Curly, close by and educates her neighbors about the danger.
“We’ve done everything we can to deter that from ever happening again,” she said. “I tell the story to anyone who will listen.”
Local 10 Animal Advocate Jacey Birch emphasizes the importance of vigilance.
“There’s a silent killer lurking in your bushes, flower beds, even water, that can be fatal for your dogs,” she warned.
As South Florida residents grapple with this hidden threat, experts recommend eliminating toad hiding spots, supervising pets outdoors, and contacting professionals like Toad Busters for assistance
