Latest news with #Colomb
9 News
08-07-2025
- Health
- 9 News
Owner's battle to ban substance that almost killed beloved dog
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here It was love at first sight when Yvette Colomb spotted Elsa on a greyhound adoption site. Originally a racing dog, Elsa was almost euthanised before Colomb rescued her and gave her a second shot at life, only to see her horrifically poisoned a few years later. It was 2020 and they were on a property about an hour north of Sydney when Elsa suddenly started to vomit. Elsa the greyhound was a happy, active dog before she was poisoned in 2020. (Supplied) Colomb immediately put Elsa in the back of the car and raced to Sydney, where her daughter took Elsa straight to the emergency vet. "I remember I looked at her and it was the last time I looked at her before she was quite disabled," Colomb told By the time Elsa arrived at the vet, she'd vomited again, suffered a seizure and had to be put on life support. That's when the vet called Colomb and revealed her dog had been poisoned. Elsa had accidentally ingested sodium fluoroacetate poison baits, better known as 1080. The poison is used across Australia to cull foxes, rabbits, wild dogs and feral cats by applying it to food items which are left out for animals to find. Have you got a story? Contact reporter Maddison Leach at mleach@ Vets doubted Elsa would survive after ingesting a 1080 poison bait. (Supplied) Derived from a naturally occurring compound found in multiple Australian plants, some Australian animals have developed a tolerance to 1080. Dogs may also ingest these baits and be poisoned, causing frenzied running, uncontrollable vomiting, howling, confusion, coma and even death. Just a few milligrams of 1080 can be lethal to most dogs and there's no antidote, though vet treatment can aid a dog's survival. "The vet said, 'very few animals survive it and it's very unlikely that Elsa will survive,'" Colomb said. Although she didn't have pet insurance, Colomb begged the vet to do anything to save her dog – and he did. Elsa's vet bill was almost $20,000 after the poisoning. (Supplied) Miraculously, Elsa pulled through. She spent almost two weeks at the emergency vet and needed additional rehabilitation, resulting in a $20,000 bill. Colomb paid about $8000 out of her own pocket and fundraised the rest, then set up a Facebook page dedicated to Elsa's recovery and to warn other dog owners. Despite surviving the 1080 poisoning, Elsa was left permanently disabled. "When we brought her home, it was almost like having an enormous newborn baby," Colomb said. "She was totally bedridden and it was around-the-clock care for her ... it took her months to learn to walk again." Caring for Elsa was expensive – she did hydrotherapy and had to be on a special diet for months after the poisoning – but like many Aussies, Colomb said she would do anything for her dog. Elsa walked with a wobble and had mobility issues for the rest of her life, but her health really started to decline in 2025. Elsa needed hydrotherapy and a special diet to help her recover from the poisoning. (Supplied) She died at home in Colomb's arms in June. "She was like lying flat against me, and she had her head against my chest, and I just patted every very gently," Colomb said. Devastated by the loss, she took comfort from the 10,000 animal lovers who had followed Elsa's story in her Facebook group. Now she's campaigning to outlaw the baits that almost killed Elsa five years ago, left her disabled and cost the family thousands in vet care. Access to 1080 is highly restricted in Australia and its use is regulated by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), state and territory government agencies and local land management authorities. Use of the poison varies across the country and baits are tailored to the target species and the local ecosystem. But scientists and animal rights groups disagree on how 'humane' 1080 is and after seeing how Elsa suffered, Colomb doesn't want any animal – pet or pest – to go through the same thing. Yvette Colomb has started a petition to ban 1080 baits in Elsa's memory. (Supplied) "It's a horrible way to die and I understand that foxes need to be taken care of, but I think we need to do it in a responsible and humane way," Colomb said. "I don't think we can just drop poison into our environment and hope for the best." She started a petition that has already attracted more than 3000 signatures and plans to petition Federal Parliament to reconsider the use of 1080 across the country. Colomb's only regret is not taking action and campaigning for a ban on 1080 sooner. "Why did I wait so long? I need to make Elsa's memory count." national Pets animals Poison CONTACT US Auto news: Jaguar continues testing with controversial looks.
National Observer
03-06-2025
- General
- National Observer
Got heart, no equipment: First Nations left defenceless against Manitoba fires
As wildfires continue to burn across Manitoba, First Nations leaders say their communities remain 'defenceless' due to a lack of proper firefighting equipment and resources. The province is experiencing one of its most severe wildfire seasons in decades, with 25 active fires. There have been a total of 106 already this season, far above the province's 20-year annual average of 84 at this time of year. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, at a press conference on May 30, explained that the province is throwing everything it has at the fires. "We are using every firefighter that we have,' Kinew said. But Gordie Bear, chief of Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (also known as Pukatawagan), said the province is overlooking a key resource: his people. 'We have the ability. We have our courage. We have a lot of heart. But we got no equipment,' Bear said. 'Today, we do not even have a garden hose to fight fire.' Pukatawagan once had its own fire suppression team on standby — equipped with fire trucks, hoses and water pumps, he said. 'We have the ability. We have our courage. We have a lot of heart. But we got no equipment,' said Gordie Bear, chief of Mathias Colomb Cree Nation. Now, they have two trucks built for house fires, not forest infernos threatening entire communities. They're forced to shuttle water back and forth from a distant station. 'We live in a boreal forest, and these fire trucks are not equipped to do that,' he said. 'This system, this is like a Mickey Mouse thing.' What is needed are powerful pumps that can draw water directly from lakes and modern, high-volume equipment capable of projecting water long distances, he said. But the support for local fire suppression teams and services was pulled out. The current lack of equipment means not only can they not protect their own community — they can't help others either. 'The hard part is that we cannot go and help Sherridon. We cannot go and help Cross Lake. We're not equipped to help anybody but run,' Bear said. Even if they had equipment, lack of certification among community members is a major barrier. There have been no certification courses offered at his reserve for the past three years, leaving the community without qualified personnel. Many young people are ready to help, Bear said, but cannot participate in firefighting efforts without proper certification. 'Until they're certified, you need to stand and watch your forest burn,' Bear said. Bear believes modifying regulations would allow more local residents — many of whom already possess essential skills — to help protect their land from wildfires. 'We hold water all our lives. We know how to stand in a line. A little training, and we'll be able to do it again — with equipment.' Bear is frustrated that the current system leaves communities 'defenceless' and 'useless,' forced to watch their homes burn without help. Evacuations across Manitoba and Saskatchewan Approximately 2,700 people are registered for evacuation from their community. Of those, around 1,700 had already been moved and about 800 people were still awaiting evacuation. Evacuations have been hard on elders and those with medical needs. Canadian Forces Chinook helicopters helped transport hundreds of residents to safety after smoke forced the closure of Pukatawagan's only airstrip, Bear said. Wildfires have forced evacuations across Manitoba and Saskatchewan. First Nations are hit the hardest — impacting entire reserves, like Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake), Pukatawagan and Marcel Colomb First Nation. Other communities — Sherridon, Flin Flon and Lynn Lake — have had evacuation orders and advisories. Many evacuees spent days in crowded Winnipeg shelters before being relocated as far as Niagara Falls, Ontario, because there wasn't enough hotel space in Manitoba. Kyra Wilson, grand chief of the Assembly of First Nations Manitoba said First Nations communities like Pukatawagan should not have to rely on Indigenous Services Canada or outside governments to respond to crises. 'Our nations and our chiefs, that is our government. We need to ensure that all levels of government are recognizing that we take care of our own,' said Wilson. 'We just need the supplies and equipment to be able to do that.' 'Looking ahead, Manitoba is going to have to build our wildfire service in the future with the capacity to respond to seasons like this,' Kinew said at the press conference. The wildfires are also a reminder of the growing impacts of climate change. Manitoba has had an early heat wave with temperatures 13 C above seasonal average that increase the chance of wildfires, according to climate experts. "I've lived on the land for the longest time… lots of things happen that are not normal," Bear said. He is 71 years old and calls himself 'old school.' He struggles to fully understand climate change and isn't sure if he'll be able to adapt to it during his lifetime. 'All I see in front of me is my land burning, turning black.'
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Trophée Chopard Honoree Marie Colomb on Comedy, Cannes and Acting in English
CANNES, France — On the rooftop of the Hôtel Martinez, Marie Colomb is scrolling through photos of her bulldog — the same one she'd just been chatting about with Angelina Jolie moments before the Trophée Chopard dinner, which resulted in a charming onstage slip-up. The French actress was this year's recipient of the annual prize, presented by Jolie, who was serving as the ceremony's 'godmother'—though Colomb accidentally, and endearingly, thanked her as 'dog mother,' to the delight of the room. More from WWD Lauren Sánchez Flashes Barely-there Silver Stilettos Beneath Oceanic Roberto Cavalli Gown at amfAR Cannes Heidi Klum's Stiletto Sandals Cut Through Sheer Layers of Textural Drama at the 2025 amfAR Cannes Gala Cara Delevingne on L'Oréal, Miu Miu and Her Bold Black Wig in Cannes 'Just before she gave me the award, we talked about how being in the same field instantly creates a bond, so we talked about our dogs,' Colomb explained. Though she admits she was a little nervous before stepping onstage, Jolie's calming presence quickly put her at ease. 'It's in her way of being,' she said. 'I could see she was really grounded. She was incredibly kind and thoughtful. I think she's aware of being the star she is, and that's not always easy. She could sense we were nervous, but once you get past what she represents, there's just a human in front of you — simple and kind.' The honor was a heightened moment for the 29-year-old, who has already had two films premiere at Cannes — 2021's 'The Magnetics' and 2022's 'The Beasts' — although this was her first time being recognized for her full body of work, including her TV series 'Follow' and 'Culte.' 'It felt a bit surreal,' she said. 'I think I'll really process it when I'm back home with my boyfriend and my dog.' Colomb has earned acclaim for her emotionally rich dramatic roles, but she's currently leaning into comedy — a challenge she embraces. 'I really want to explore different genres. Comedy is incredibly hard. It's all about timing. If you're feeling stressed or not well, you can channel that into a dramatic role. But with comedy, you have to feel confident. Otherwise, it just doesn't land, and it shows.' Ultimately, she picks projects rooted in humanity. 'I'm drawn to films that, maybe it's cliché to say, are full of love. Stories about people. Sometimes it's comedy, sometimes drama, but they make me want to live,' she said. Raised in a small town in southwestern France, Colomb knew early on that acting was it for her. At just six years old, she penned a letter to her mother declaring her intention to be on stage and screen. 'It's cliché, but I fell in love with it then and never had a plan B,' she said. Though she hasn't yet taken on an English-language project, she's also up for that challenge. 'I know I'm capable, it's just a mental block. But if someone offered me a role in English tomorrow, I'd be working on it nine hours a day,' she said. She's also attuned to the shifts in the industry, particularly how global platforms have changed the game for independent films, which has been a hot topic at Cannes. 'There are many positives, but I don't yet have the hindsight to say how much. Still, even if we're not saving lives by making films, it does matter,' she remarked. 'In a world that's as complicated as ours, cinema can offer real comfort,' she added. 'It still influences how people are seen — minorities, different perspectives. It shapes the way we look at others.' Colomb is also embracing the fashion world, particularly as luxury houses continue investing in cinema. She's been a front row guest at Balenciaga, Chloé and Rabanne during Paris Fashion Week, and her appreciation of fashion is growing. 'At first, it was a world that really impressed me. It wasn't mine. It seemed superficial. And yes, there's that side to it,' she said. 'But lately, I've become genuinely interested in the artistry and craftsmanship. Like anything, once you look closely, there's a lot to admire. And let's be honest, it's also a business. But I love that brands are increasingly supporting film.' For the Trophée Chopard dinner, she wore a pink feathered Prada mini dress that she called an 'immediate, visual way to have fun.' Her personal style IRL is simpler: a white T-shirt, a short Prada skirt, and anything 'comfortable…and a little bit rockstar.' It's her first formal relationship with a brand, and she's enjoying the freedom it gives her to play with identity. 'It's like we say in France — style, we don't take it too seriously, you know?' she said, joking about the myth of 'effortless' French girl style that actually takes a lot of work behind the scenes. She's seen a shift in that aesthetic due to social media, plus the speeding up of the fashion cycle as entertainment. 'I do think fashion has taken up a lot more space recently,' she said. 'People see you first through what you wear — and it matters.' Best of WWD Cannes Film Festival 1970s: Flashbacks, Celebrities and Fashion Highlights from WWD's 'Eye' Pages [PHOTOS] A Look Back at Cannes Film Festival's Best Dressed Red Carpet Stars: Blake Lively, Angelina Jolie, Princess Diana and More Photos Dapper Dan, Legendary Harlem Tailor, Style Icon and Modern Dandy Pioneer [PHOTOS]
