September 9, 2025, 12:02 pm | Read time: 6 minutes
Every year, dogs across Germany are severely injured or even die from poison bait—and the danger seems to be increasing. A recent analysis by the app “Dogorama” shows where the threat to dogs is particularly high. In 2025 alone, hundreds of new poison baits were reported. Notably, one major city leads the number of reports. What this means for dog owners.
Major Cities in Focus: Where the Risk for Dogs Is Especially High
The exact number of dogs that die annually from poison bait is unknown, as there are no official statistics. However, the annual analysis of the app “Dogorama” provides some guidance. Users can report poison bait or suspected cases nationwide through the app. This year, the number of reports has risen significantly again, as the Dogorama editorial team announced in a press release.
Incidents have been reported particularly frequently in major cities—a dangerous trend for dog owners. Since mid-2021, the following numbers have been recorded:
- Berlin: 1,336 reports (280 more than the previous year)
- Hamburg: 850 reports (plus 151)
- Munich: 539 reports (plus 127)
- Cologne: 506 reports (plus 117)
- Leipzig: 318 reports (plus 72)
Also among the top 10 are Dortmund (245 reported poison baits), Hanover (244), Braunschweig (218), Essen (213), and Bremen (213).
Berlin Far Ahead in First Place for Reports of Poison Bait
Berlin is far ahead in the number of reported poison baits in 2025, confirming its sad reputation as Germany’s most dangerous city for dogs. The reasons for this are varied, as Jan Wittmann, founder of the Dogorama app, explains to PETBOOK. “On the one hand, the dog density in the capital is particularly high—the more dogs are out and about, the greater the likelihood that incidents will be noticed and reported.”
Additionally, the typical dynamics of a big city come into play, Wittmann says. “Many people live in close quarters; there are fewer alternatives, tensions and conflicts arise more quickly. Unfortunately, some resort to extreme measures, such as laying out poison bait.”
At the same time, it should be noted that dog owners are much better networked today. Information about poison bait spreads quickly through social media, apps, and local groups. Additionally, dog owners have become more vigilant: “They know what poisoning symptoms look like, what to watch for, and report suspicious finds more consistently,” Wittmann explains. Therefore, it is difficult to say whether the number of poison baits is actually increasing—or if we are simply paying closer attention today and documenting incidents better.
High Dark Figure
The analysis only captures the poison baits reported through the app in 2025. Wittmann and his team assume that the dark figure remains high. “Although it will likely get smaller over time, as dog owners become increasingly informed, report suspicious finds more often, and are quickly informed through apps or social media. Nevertheless, there are certainly still many cases that go unnoticed or are not reported at all. Therefore, I personally still estimate the dark figure to be significantly high.”
These Types of Poison Bait Are Particularly Dangerous
The Dogorama statistics only include confirmed poison bait reports—other indications, such as laid-out food or animal carcasses, are not considered. The range of baits is alarming, according to the Dogorama press release from September 8, 2025. “Perpetrators use prepared meat pieces like meatballs or sausage, laced with rat poison, slug pellets, antifreeze, or sedatives.”
Poison baits prepared with rat poison are reported particularly frequently, as Jan Wittmann tells PETBOOK. Additionally, prepared foods repeatedly appear, such as sausage pieces, meatballs, or bread, into which razor blades, nails, or sharp objects are embedded. These cause severe internal injuries and even death when swallowed.
“We repeatedly receive reports where one or even several dogs have died,” Wittmann says. “This affects me personally very much, as I have a Beagle named Emma myself. The thought of losing her in such a way is more than terrible.”
Rat Poison Alpha-Chloralose Still Present
Last year, the rat poison Alpha-Chloralose was reported more frequently, according to Wittmann. This is also the case with the reported poison baits of 2025. The problem, however, is that this substance is often scattered in the form of white powder, the app founder explains. Without a precise examination, it cannot be immediately determined whether it is really poison or not. This is precisely why the reports were initially very high. “They have since decreased somewhat, but are still clearly visible and a major issue for dog owners.”
There Are Particularly Many Poison Bait Reports at This Time of Year
Particularly many warnings are received in the summer months or during the warm seasons, Wittmann shares. “This is mainly because more people are generally outdoors then.” Although dog owners walk their dogs year-round, in the warm months, they also encounter many people who are in parks or green areas without dogs. “This increases the potential for conflict, tensions rise—and unfortunately, so does the number of poison bait reports.”
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Warning System via App: How the Poison Bait Radar Works
The so-called Poison Bait Radar is part of the free Dogorama app. Users can report finds there, enter the exact location on a map, and upload pictures. An artificial intelligence checks the reports before publication. Because theoretically, people could also deliberately report poison baits to keep dog owners away from certain areas.
“We cannot confirm this statement,” Wittmann clarifies. Of course, there is—as everywhere—the risk of misinformation with poison bait reports. But this is essentially no different than in “real life,” when something is told to you while walking the dog: It also requires common sense.
“At Dogorama, we check each report using various methods. This includes a plausibility check, we watch for possible duplicates, and verify whether images are already circulating elsewhere on the internet. This ensures that the reports are as reliable as possible.” In some cases, the report is additionally checked by an employee to rule out forgeries. However, there is never absolute certainty, Wittmann says.
How to Report Poison Baits
Those without access to the app can also report finds via the Dogorama website. The location can be entered quite precisely on the map—a big advantage for dog owners in major cities who can avoid targeted streets or be particularly vigilant there.
If there is indeed a danger, the report should definitely be forwarded to the police, Wittmann advises. However, the chances of investigations often remain low—as long as no concrete damage has occurred. “Investigations to determine whether it is actually poison are usually only carried out if something has already happened.” Nevertheless, the rule is: In case of doubt, inform the authorities so that the incident is officially documented.