DOG POISONED BY STRYCHNINE-LACED MEATBALL IN LA MESA: $5,000 REWARD OFFERED

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January 16, 2011 (La Mesa) – Is a serial pet poisoner on the loose in La Mesa?

 

Irwin and Jeannene Smith found six meatballs poisoned with strychnine in the backyard of their home on Nagel Street, after their dog suffered seizures. Oreo, the eight-year-old terrier-beagle mix has been on a respirator since the poisoning occurred Friday, but is now expected to survive. Neighbors report that at least five other dogs in the neighborhood have been poisoned in the past few years, CBS News reports, but those incidents were not reported topolice.

 

La Mesa Police are investigating the latest poisoning. If caught, the person who laced the meatballs with poison could face criminal charges.  A local resident has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the perpetrator,  10 News reports.

 

The Smiths did have some good news this weekend. Peg and Per Urvek of Del Mar, after hearing about the incident on Channel 8 news, offered to pay the entire veterinary bill at the Pet Emergency & Specialty Center in La Mesa, where the cost of Oreo’s care could exceed $10,000.

 

If you have information about this crime, please call La Mesa Police at 667 1400.
 

In February and March 2010, four dogs in Spokane Washington died in similar incidents, when strychnine-laced meatballs were thrown into the backyards of their homes. The Human Society of the U.S. has offered a $2,500 reward in those cases:
http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/16236/WA/US/
http://www.nwcn.com/news/Poison-suspected-in-another-Spokane-dog-death-8...
 

A resident of Ramona was recently found guilty of leaving meatballs filled with rat poison in a field. He was sentenced to community service and forced to pay medical expenses for a neighbor’s cat that became sick after eating part of a poisoned meatball. He claimed he left he meatballs out to poison coyotes, but a complaint had previously been made to the Sheriff claiming that the suspect had threatened to harm dogs, the Ramona Sentinel reported. The individual has stated that he was living out of town when the recent poisonings occurred.
 


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