Alice from Western Australia faced a harrowing experience when her dog, Poppet, became critically ill after ingesting seeds from the toxic castor oil plant, which grows across most of Australia. After Alice noticed the plants encroaching on her property, she contacted the City of Swan in October 2024 to request their removal but received no response. In late November, both of her dogs fell ill, prompting a vet visit that confirmed Poppet was suffering from life-threatening ricin poisoning.
Despite a staggering veterinary bill of nearly $5000, which Alice had to cover personally since she lacked pet insurance, Poppet survived after a three-day stay in intensive care. Alice, now insured, is advocating for better public awareness of the risks associated with castor oil plants, following reports that the plants remain on council land. Alarmingly, a neighbour’s child had also encountered the dangerous seeds.
While the city has taken action to spray and remove some of the plants, Alice continues to urge the City of Swan to do more and has requested compensation for her veterinary expenses, which is currently under review by the city’s insurer. She remains concerned about the lingering danger posed by the plants, especially for local families.