North Hollywood Dog Accidentally Ingests Meth During Morning Walk, Owners Warn Others to Stay Alert
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA — What began as a normal morning walk quickly turned into a terrifying ordeal for a North Hollywood couple after their dog suddenly fell ill — later testing positive for methamphetamine ingestion.
According to KTLA 5 News, the couple was walking their dog through their neighborhood when the animal began acting erratically. Within minutes, the pet’s breathing became heavy, his heart rate skyrocketed, and he struggled to stay calm.
“His heart rate was really elevated and he was panting a lot and couldn’t settle down,” the dog’s owner said. “He had a 103-degree fever.”
Emergency Vet Confirms Drug Exposure
Alarmed by the symptoms, the owners rushed their dog to a local emergency veterinary hospital, where tests revealed methamphetamine in the dog’s system. Veterinarians immediately began treatment to stabilize the animal, including IV fluids and medications to control his heart rate and body temperature.
Doctors believe the dog may have ingested a small amount of meth from discarded drug paraphernalia or contaminated food left on the ground during the walk.
“We were horrified,” the owner said. “You just don’t expect to have something like this happen on a normal morning walk.”
A Growing Concern in Public Spaces
Veterinarians across Los Angeles County say this isn’t an isolated case. There’s been a growing number of pets accidentally ingesting drugs, particularly in areas where illegal substances are more commonly found on sidewalks and in parks.
Dr. Karen Hall, a local vet specializing in toxicology, told reporters that even tiny traces of narcotics can be lethal for pets.
“Methamphetamine and other street drugs can cause extreme agitation, overheating, and seizures,” Hall said. “Owners should always watch closely for signs like excessive panting, tremors, or rapid heart rate.”
Dog Expected to Make Full Recovery
After receiving emergency care, the North Hollywood dog was released from the clinic and is now recovering at home. His owners are using the incident to warn others in the community about keeping pets away from unfamiliar debris or food scraps found along walking paths.
Police have not confirmed whether an investigation is underway to locate the source of the contamination.
Local residents have since voiced concerns on social media, urging city officials to increase street cleaning and safety patrols in high-traffic areas where similar incidents have been reported.
As one commenter put it, “If it can happen on a quiet neighborhood walk, it can happen anywhere.”
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