Yvette Colomb fell in love with Elsa, a greyhound, when she first saw her on an adoption website. Elsa had an unfortunate start as a racing dog, ending up on the brink of euthanasia before Colomb intervened. Their bond deepened until tragedy struck in 2020 when Elsa fell severely ill on their property north of Sydney.
Colomb noticed Elsa vomiting and immediately rushed her to an emergency vet in Sydney. By the time they arrived, Elsa was in critical condition, having suffered a seizure and requiring life support. Tragically, the vet revealed that Elsa had ingested 1080 poison, a toxic substance used in Australia to control feral animal populations like foxes and rabbits. This compound can be extremely lethal to dogs, causing severe distress and often death, with no known antidote.
Despite the vet’s grim prognosis—stating that very few dogs survive such poisoning—Colomb, who lacked pet insurance, urged the vet to save her beloved dog. Remarkably, after spending almost two weeks in care and accumulating around $20,000 in medical bills, Elsa pulled through. With about $8,000 paid from her savings and the rest raised through a dedicated Facebook page, Colomb was able to fund Elsa’s rehabilitation. However, the ordeal left Elsa permanently disabled, necessitating ongoing care and special treatment.
Elsa began life anew at home, requiring constant attention as she relearned how to walk. While Colomb devoted herself to her dog’s recovery, the financial burden weighed heavily. Elsa’s health began to decline in 2025, ultimately leading to her death in June, while cradled in Colomb’s arms. Grieving her loss, Colomb found solace in the supportive online community that had followed Elsa’s journey.
In Elsa’s memory, she is now advocating for the prohibition of 1080 baits, citing the need for humane pest control alternatives. Access to 1080 is strictly regulated in Australia, but debates over its humaneness continue. Colomb, emboldened by her experience, has launched a Change.org petition, amassing over 3,000 signatures, and is determined to address the issue at the Federal level.
Reflecting on her delayed action, Colomb expresses regret for not starting the campaign sooner, motivated by a desire to honour Elsa’s legacy and prevent similar suffering for other animals. She firmly believes in seeking responsible, humane methods to manage wildlife, emphasising that simply releasing poison into the environment is not the solution.