I've heard of the toad problem they have in Australia. They're Cane Toads. I don't know if we have those anywhere in the US. They get very large and are dangerous.

There's a couple images here that don't even look real the toads are so huge where the men are holding them by their feet. Hope we never have them here.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cane toad images

Oh those pics are a little scary. I believe I would be quite scared if I reached down into my garden an had that at close to my hand. About as scared as I would be to find one of Helen's snakes!
I agree the story does sound sad at first but since they are becoming invasive maybe they should try to correct the problem.
I don't think I could handle living in a country when they had so many deadly species. The place (name escapes me) where they have all of those snakes in the fields where they HAVE to work every day in those big holes. gives me chills to even think about it. I will stick w/what I am used to. good ole Ozark wildlife : ) At least I know what to be prepared for.
Quite interesting.
Bonnie

My friend's neighbors' dog, a naughty little schnauzer, chewed on a common toad and had to have emergency care at the Vet cost them nearly $500 and the dog nearly died. I have had cats vomit after playing with a toad. These cane toads are a real threat to pets because I think they can squirt their poison. On one of the threads here they said they have them in Florida.