Eighth dog put down after poisoning
By Gillian Flaccus of The Associated Press
July 16, 2003
From The Oregonian:
» Fourth dog dies after playing at park
» Dogs getting sick at Laurelhurst Park
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - An emergency veterinary clinic euthanized yet another poisoned dog Wednesday, bringing the death toll in the rash of poisonings to at least eight animals.
Police, who have received reports of at least 14 cases from the same park since July 3, appealed for the public's help Wednesday and offered a reward for information.
The eight dogs were brought to Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital starting July 3 suffering from vomiting, diarrhea and mouth ulcers. Most developed respiratory problems within several days. Several others dogs recovered and were released, said Devon Jahn, hospital spokeswoman.
Veterinary staff noticed similarities in the symptoms and soon learned that all the dogs had played at Portland's popular Laurelhurst Park between July 3 and 9. The clinic now believes, based on the animals' symptoms, that the dogs were poisoned with paraquat, a herbicide, said Jahn.
"A couple of the owners actually saw their dogs vomiting what looked like a sausage or beef form," she said. "That would suggest that something was possibly baited."
The poisonings have hit a nerve in dog-friendly Portland, where city officials estimate their number at 140,000 and where there exists a long-standing conflict between dog owners who let their dogs run off-leash at public parks and those who don't.
Some suspect the poisonings may be linked to that conflict.
"The dogs that were poisoned were all in one specific park that has had a history of controversy between on-leash and off-leash dogs," said Jahn.
A local Web site critical of off-leash dogs posted a message condemning the poisonings.
"If you are concerned about dogs being off leash, remember: The dogs are not the problem -- it's their owners," reads the message at leashyourdog.com. "You are not helping anyone and you don't want this on your conscience. This is not the way."
Portland Crimestoppers issued a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case and has opened a criminal investigation, said Sgt. Brian Schmautz, police spokesman. Police are trying to locate the dogs' owners or any witnesses, he said.
Two taverns, the Lucky Labrador Brew Pub and the Lucky Labrador Public House, are passing the hat for more reward money and to help defray medical expenses of the poisoned animals.
Detectives from the Oregon Humane Society are also investigating and have sent two dogs' remains to Oregon State University for necropsy, Jahn said. Results are expected this week.
Dionne Star-Peace retrieved the body of her black-white-and-tan Jack Russell terrier, Spup, from the vet Tuesday and plans to bury her in the backyard. Spup was one of the first dogs to get sick on July 3 less than two hours after a visit to Laurelhurst Park, Star-Peace said.
Spup was on about six feet of leash when Star-Peace saw her sniff at something hidden under a bush and then swallow it whole, she said. Spup was euthanized Saturday, nine days after she got sick, but not before Star-Peace spent $4,500 on vet care, including six days in intensive care and treatment in an oxygen tent.
"I'm out a bunch of money, I don't have a dog and I don't believe we will ever find the person who did this," said Star-Peace, who said Spup was always on a leash in public.
"This is a very slow-acting, agonizing, nasty poison," she said. "Spup weighed 15 pounds and now dogs that weigh 80 pounds are dying. She didn't have a chance."
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