The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is warning dog owners that it is planting salmon carcasses in local rivers and creeks as part of its program to provide nutrients that would naturally be present during salmon spawning.
Biologist Karen Hans said about 1,000 fish carcasses are being deposited in the South Santiam and Calapooia rivers, along with Wiley, Moose and Canyon creeks over the next three weeks.
She cautioned dog owners to keep their pets away from any carcasses, which contain a bacteria that can be fatal to canines.
“We try to avoid parks and residential areas, but sometimes the salmon float downstream or people are out for a walk,” she said. “It’s the salmon blood that carries the bacteria.”
If an owner knows a dog has been in water where the salmon are present, “get it to the veterinarian immediately for antibiotics,” she said. “Don’t wait for the dog to get sick.
If a dog is vomiting, it’s “critical,” Hans said. “If you can prevent it in time, you can prevent a large vet bill.”