Someone's poisoning dogs in Mountain Home

Pet owners in Mellon subdivision are being advised to control their animals and to keep a close watch on them. Over the past two weeks more than half dozen dogs have apparently been poisoned with most of them dying.

Two dogs owned by a single family fell victim to poisoning within just a few days of each other.

The first animal had been let out of the house by one of the children. Later, the dog was found suffering seizures, was unable to walk and quickly died. The pet was quickly removed and buried.

A few days later, the second dog managed to find its way out of the house and was gone for a short time. He returned home and for a while, he seemed like his normal self. But three hours later, the animal was seizing. His owners rushed him to Knights Veterinary Clinic where fortunately, Dr. Laura Mages was able to save him.

Mages suspected poisoning and reported that she had recently completed an autopsy on another animal from the same neighborhood. The results had shown the dog had died from strychnine poisoning. She speculated the poison may have been wrapped in meat before being given to the animals.

Elmore County Humane Society representative Mitzi Magee was outraged to learn of the incidents. Magee said it has been about 14 days since the first animal died. Two days later, three more dogs died in much the same manner. It was nearly a week after that two other animals suffered the same fate and over the past weekend yet another victim was reported.

"These were all family pets," said Magee. "They weren't vicious animals running in packs or causing problems. All of these animals were cared for."

Strychnine, on its own, is not available for purchase over the counter. It is a controlled substance with only those certified for handling the hazardous materials being able to purchase it. However, there are products available for home gardeners, such as rat or gopher poison, that may contain the poison in sufficient amounts to kill a dog.

Dogs may not have been the only victims. Cats also have been disappearing from the neighborhood, said Magee.

"Keep your animals inside," said Magee. "Keep watching, and if you see anything suspicious, or if you expect your pet has been poisoned, call the Sheriff's office (587-2100)."

Deputy Laytreda Schultz with the Elmore County Sheriff's Office said the law enforcement department has been notified by two victims -- the owners of three dogs that were poisoned.

Some people may be under the mistaken impression that the county will not respond to animal calls, said Schultz. "But if they are having a problem with animals -- either running at large, or someone causing harm to their animals, they should call our office to report the incident," she said. "Poisoning is not an option."