Lethargic And Non Responsive Roosevelt Island Dog Taken To Emergency Room, Diagnosed Having Ingested Marijuana - Owner Advises To Watch Out For Weed Paper While Walking Your Dog On Roosevelt Island

Roosevelt Island resident Mary Cavanaugh reports: 

My sweet dog Maggie 

was in bad shape one evening last week. Lethargic and non responsive. I took her to an emergency room in Manhattan where she was diagnosed as having ingested marijuana. The Vet said Maggie was the third dog to present with that syndrome that day.

I have long noted the ugly presence of cigarette butts all over our Roosevelt Island. I have also noted they are mostly filtered. The Vet explained that marijuana paper is quite thin, as opposed to the filters left over from tobacco, and when the butt is stepped on it rips, exposing the remaining weed.

Since Maggie's illness I have spotted what looked like the remnants of weed paper on the Main St. sidewalk and the East Promenade.

I believe this is a very serious problem and will get worse as pot smoking increases. It seems that our canine population is also increasing.

All dog owners must be warned and vigilant.

UPDATE 9/20 - Here's August 16, 2022 Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee meeting discussion with Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Chief Kevin Brown on Marijuana smoking.