An unfortunate incident has occurred at a luxury apartment complex in downtown Washington DC, where a two-year-old Lagotto Romagnolo dog named Goose died after ingesting a toxic plant in the building’s courtyard. The incident has sparked concern among residents regarding pet safety and the use of poisonous plants in shared spaces.
The tragedy took place at The Lurgan, a 214-unit upscale apartment complex located in the Mount Vernon Square neighbourhood. Goose was enjoying his regular playtime in the complex’s pet-friendly courtyard on 16 April when he ate the bright yellow petals of a Carolina jessamine vine, a plant known for its toxicity to both humans and animals. According to information from the Home and Garden Information Center, all parts of this vine are highly poisonous, and its sap can cause skin irritation; children are also at risk if they suck the nectar from the flowers.
Within minutes of ingesting the petals, Goose began convulsing. His owner, Rachel, immediately rushed him to an emergency veterinary clinic in Georgetown, where medical staff initially managed to stabilise him. However, as detailed by Rini Sampath—a resident of The Lurgan and a friend of Rachel—in an interview with WUSA 9 News, the veterinarian eventually advised that euthanasia would be the most humane option due to the severity of the symptoms. Sophie Andrews, Medical Director at the Humane Rescue Alliance, explained to WUSA that the toxins in Carolina jessamine can cause neurotoxicity in severe cases, leading to muscle weakness and respiratory difficulties, which align with Goose’s symptoms.
Following the incident, management at The Lurgan sent an email to tenants informing them that the courtyard would be temporarily closed and reopened later the same day. Notably, the communication omitted any reference to the toxic plant or warnings for pet owners. Further stirring residents’ concerns was the absence of a building-wide notice highlighting the danger posed by Carolina jessamine.
In private correspondence with Goose’s owner, representatives from the building acknowledged that the dog’s death was "most likely the result of ingesting the toxic plant." The email, as reviewed by The Washington Post, expressed condolences and recognised the emotional impact on residents and fellow pet owners.
In response to what they perceived as inadequate action from management, residents have become vocal in their demands for improved safety measures. Rini Sampath initiated a campaign to alert other tenants about the hazard, distributing flyers around the complex. However, these flyers were removed by the following day. Sampath also launched an online petition targeting the removal of Carolina jessamine from shared landscapes across Washington DC, including schools and parks. As of Friday evening, the petition had garnered nearly 700 signatures.
A week after Goose’s death, The Lurgan removed the poisonous vine from the courtyard and issued a building-wide notice stating that experts had reviewed all plants in pet-accessible areas. Nonetheless, residents remain concerned that other complexes may feature similar toxic landscaping and continue advocating for broader restrictions.
Goose’s owner is currently awaiting the results of a necropsy to confirm the exact cause of death. Meanwhile, local residents, including Sampath, are collaborating with officials to pursue legislation aimed at banning Carolina jessamine from commonly accessed communal spaces across the district.
The case has highlighted the presence of natural hazards in urban environments and the complexities involved in pet safety within communal residential settings.
Source: Noah Wire Services