We've always heard messages about the need to stop littering and to pick up after ourselves, but recently, littering has taken an even uglier turn.

Veterinarians are reporting that more and more dogs are being brought to their offices due to illness over eating discarded marijuana joints.

Photos: Pixabay / isakarakus

Now that legal dispensaries are opening in New York, people are able to smoke pot out in the open. Most don't give much thought to discarding what is left of the joint, not thinking that it could make an animal sick if it ate it.

Fortunately, most dogs that eat marijuana are not going to have a fatal reaction to it. It can make them sick, however, and none of us want our pets to experience any illness.

According to one New York City veterinarian, Dr. Amy Attas, marijuana poisonings were rare before the dispensaries started to open. In most cases, marijuana poisoning would happen after a dog got into their owner's stash at home.

She went on to say that the real problem is that people are using marijuana on the street and 'discarding the unwanted ends of their joints.' Unfortunately, dogs may eat them when they find them.

Photos: YouTube / Eyewitness News ABC7NY

Dr. Attas has already seen six cases in just the first few months of this year. Prior to that time, she treated approximately the same number of cases over the past three decades.

The problem was also highlighted by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. According to their research, there were 6200 cases reported in 2021, but in 2022, an 11% increase occurred. Over the past five years, a 300% increase has happened.

It isn't just larger cities, such as New York, that are experiencing this problem. Due to the legalization of cannabis for recreational use, it's difficult to be outdoors without smelling it nearby.

Dogs have a much keener sense of smell than we do, and if they sniff out a leftover joint, they will eat it and get sick.

Although you can't stop people from throwing their discarded joints on the ground, you can keep a closer eye on your dog to avoid this problem.

You can also remain aware of the possibility, so if your dog gets sick after a walk, it may be a problem to look into.

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