Source: KING 5
A Tacoma man’s routine walk with his dog turned tragic when the pet died suddenly, likely from a fentanyl overdose. Kenneth Gentili was at Owen Beach in Point Defiance Park when his small dog ate something under a bench in the children’s play area. Within minutes, the dog began foaming at the mouth, collapsed, and died despite attempts to reach a Veterinary clinic. A veterinarian confirmed the symptoms were consistent with fentanyl poisoning.
Dr. Cathy Corrigan, a local veterinarian, explained that fentanyl exposure in dogs, though more common in police animals, also affects pets that ingest contaminated items in parks or alleys. Symptoms—including lethargy, pinpoint pupils, and respiratory failure—can appear within five minutes. She urged pet owners to carry naloxone, which can reverse overdoses if given quickly, but warned against mouth-to-mouth resuscitation due to human exposure risks.
Tacoma Parks staff increased monitoring and cleanups, while Gentili hopes sharing his story raises awareness for other dog owners.