JACKSON HOLE, WYO – Authorities say they are investigating more than one case of dog poisoning in the county as rumors run wild around the community today.
Lt. Matt Carr said the Sheriff’s Office is looking into two separate incidents of dogs being sickened by some toxic substance. He said the two cases, reported days apart, are unrelated.
“We have evidence leading us to believe the two incidents are not linked in any way,” Carr said. Initial reports of the first dog, an otherwise healthy 8-year-old, appear to point toward rat poison of some kind, according to investigators. The latest dog sickened is expected to recover.
The affected animals are being treated by Fish Creek Veterinary (Dr. Theo Schuff) and Spring Creek Animal Hospital (Dr. Dan Foreman). Schuff and Foremen are in contact with one another to compare notes. Both dogs are having blood work done to determine what the possible toxin was that sickened them.
Schuff confirmed seeing two dogs from the same owner that exhibited signs of illness commonly associated with rodenticides, or over-the-counter toxins used to exterminate rats and mice.
Schuff said an 11-year-old Golden Retriever and a younger brindle mix approximately seven months old were treated at Fish Creek Veterinary Clinic for abnormally high prolonged clotting parameters. The profile would cause an animal to bleed excessively. The dogs also reportedly vomited and showed other signs of malaise.
“The dogs are doing great now but the owner was right to bring them in early,” Schuff said. “It is not terribly uncommon to see dogs that have gotten into some kind of intoxicant like a rodenticide. I think the owners brought these dogs in after hearing about other possible cases and finding some raw meat near the bike path. But, again, there is nothing to suggest anything malicious at this point.”
The dogs—Louie and Sylvie—belong to Heath Kuszak. He said he believed the older dog was able to ingest something near the bike path recently and his younger dog then ate that dog’s vomit. Both became sick and exhibited signs of lethargy. Kuszak said he contacted law enforcement after hearing of rumors of other dogs becoming sick and then brought his to the vet.
Both dogs are excepted to recover. Tests are still being performed to determine the exact toxin that may be at play.
Reports of other dogs taken ill continue to come in to the Buckrail newsroom. Another owner, Erin Flynn, watched helplessly as her 3-year old Lucy died in a matter of hours after it possibly ate something during a walk in Adams Canyon.
Flynn said Lucy vomited and within an hour began signs of central nervous system problems. It became paralyzed and died just six hours after it first appeared ill.
Lt. Carr says his office is aware of only the two incidents though they too have heard anecdotally of others. The Sheriff’s Office suggested anyone with information about their pet becoming sick should contact their veterinarian immediately, and relay detailed information that could be of use in the investigation to authorities.
The poisonings have sparked fear in the community, conjuring memories of 2004 when a serial poisoner was at large in the community. Some 26 dogs were reported poisoned by meat tainted with the pesticide Temik. Most of those dogs died a painful death.
Temik is a registered toxin and is much faster-acting on dogs. Vomiting, paralysis, and frothing at the mouth would be clear indications of a poison like Temik. Typical rodenticides would exhibit in less dramatic symptoms, according to Schuff. Vomiting may or may not be present. Animals may or may not show signs of bleeding. but in general, they will act lethargic and not like themselves.
“The best thing for dog owners to do now and always, really, is be aware of where there dog is and where it goes,” Schuff added.
Initially, it was thought someone disgruntled with the reintroduction of wolves was targeting them. Later, cops believed someone was intentionally targeting domestic dogs in and around Jackson and Idaho.
Two dogs owned by Dick and Brenda Mulligan were poisoned in 2014 but authorities believe those cases were accidental.
Carr emphasized there is no reason to believe the reports of dog poisonings so far are related or indicate any intention. No tainted or suspicious meat has been confirmed found in the area at this time.
Buckrail is attempting to piece together more details about other dogs becoming ill. Authorities say their investigation is ongoing.
