Residents baffled after finding blocks of cheese in their pot plants
Baffled residents have been left scratching their heads after finding blocks of cheese popping up in bushes and gardens around an inner-Melbourne suburb.
Residents have shared pictures of large tasty cheese blocks stashed in yards, pot plants, and reserves across Elwood in recent weeks, causing alarm among pet owners who have reported dogs vomiting up the dairy item.
The dozens of blocks found at Tiuna Grove, Byrne and Bendigo avenues, and surrounds are reportedly perfectly cut into chunks, around the size of “a full stick of butter”, and residents do not believe them to be poisoned.
Resident known on Facebook as Ruby Tuesday, said she found four “carefully cut blocks” in one week, with the most recent find today, while out walking her dog.
“We saw four blocks of cheese on the beach and in the bushes. I hope they aren’t poisoned as Milly got hold of one and ran off – thankfully we got her back before she ate it.
“But WTF is going on, what’s with all the cheese?” she asked others on a local Facebook page.
“There is LOADS of it in the bushes of the esplanade between Bendigo and Tiuna – so bewildering,” she wrote, while sharing pictures of some of the finds.
Vivienne Forbes said her friend’s pooch ate some of the mystery cheese without an upset, but she was baffled by where it came from.
“My friend’s dog came out of the bushes near st kilda dog beach with a block of cheese in its mouth – l thought it was a one-off kind of thing,” she wrote.
“The dog ate it with no dramas..but seriously, this is weird and messing with my head!!!”
Another local, Melissa Stephens said her doggo wasn’t so lucky.
“My dog was vomiting last night after a walk down by the canal. She’s ok today but it was very out of the blue.????” she wrote.
Residents have voiced many theories about how the cheese is ending up scattered around town, including foxes finding and burying them, or an elderly woman putting them out to feed birds, but many believe there are too many blocks for that to be possible.
City of Port Phillip told Yahoo7 council was investigating the reports, as the mystery was only brought to its attention today, but warned dog owners to be on the look-out.
“A resident handed in two blocks, each the size of a full stick of butter, to Council today after finding
them on the beach side of the Ormond Esplanade, between Tiuna Grove and Bendigo Avenue,” the council said in a statement.
CEO Peter Smith said when animal management officers followed up a report today, they found
remnants of older pieces of cheese in shrubs.
“While there is no indication the cheese has been poisoned, we take these reports seriously and
the cheese is going to be tested to ensure it has not been planted as dog bait,” Mr Smith said.
“Even if the cheese receives the all clear, we advise dog owners to keep an eye on their pets as
eating that much dairy product can make dogs vomit.”
Council cleaning crews are working to remove the blocks found in public areas but do not have access to private property.
“Any residents who find cheese on their properties are advised to dispose of it
safely in a bin and wash their hands,” Mr Smith advised.
The Great Elwood Cheese Mystery, for now, remains unsolved.
Anyone with information about the mystery cheese dropper is advised to contact the council’s
ASSIST team on (03) 9209 6777.
