sheryl6411
June 25th, 2008, 09:36 AM
TORONTO - The unsolved case of dog poisonings in a landmark Toronto park took a decidedly bizarre and sinister twist Tuesday after police detailed eyewitness reports of dead raccoons in the area posed in disturbing ways, including one with a bouquet of flowers placed in its outstretched paws.
With two dogs dead and at least six others sickened, likely from poison-laced bread and contaminated drinking bowls, a usually bustling off-leash section of High Park was deserted, save for one woman who made sure to hang onto her dog Fargo's collar once she learned of Tuesday's developments.
"I live around here and I guess I'm not going to be coming back," said Suzanne Cote, her voice cracking with emotion.
"This is very distressing."
Police tape cordoned off an area known as Dog Hill and notices warning dog owners about the recent spate of poisonings were taped onto signs designating the off-leash area. On Monday, police issued a public safety alert, warning pet owners and parents about potential poisoning dangers in the massive west-end park.
Toronto police Det. Suzanne Pinto said a mushed-up pile of bread soaked in some sort of poisonous substance was found in the park Tuesday. Police were also treating a hydrant used to provide pets with drinking water as another source of the poison, which Pinto said is likely antifreeze.
But at least two of the sick dogs have no trace of antifreeze in their systems, leading police to believe there may be two sources of poison, as well as two culprits.
The off-leash area of the park has long been a source of contention between pet owners and park users who believe dogs spoil the park when they're allowed to run free.
The poisoned bread was found on the edge of the off-leash area, meaning the poisonings may be connected to the dispute, said Pinto.
She added that the poison used was so strong that it killed all the plants around the bread, yet it was clearly very enticing to animals, including Hannah, one of the dogs that died.
"Hannah ingested it and she's a good dog, she listens to her owner, but she was drawn away from her owner, she smelled this, she specifically went for it and ingested it quickly," said Pinto.
"Other than that she's a great dog, so it really was a powerful draw to the animal."
Pinto said that pet owners should take this as a lesson to keep a close eye on their pets.
"I'm not trying to scare anybody and say that our society has taken a dark turn, but you have to be vigilant with your children and your dogs and what they're sticking their noses into," she said.
"If you're going to take them off-leash and let them romp around, it's your responsibility as a good owner to know what they're going to stick their faces into."
Dozens of dead raccoons and squirrels have also been found in the area, leading police to believe that someone was testing the poison before they used it on dogs, said Pinto.
The ways in which at least two of the raccoons were posed - one with a bouquet of flowers, another with a dead squirrel - indicates the work of a "sick, twisted" individual, she added.
"You're just going after a defenceless animal, in my book. If you have a beef with the owner, you should go after the owner," said Pinto.
"This vigilantism is misplaced, it's distorted and disturbed, and it's going to lead to further trouble down the road for this individual. We're going to run into them sooner or later."
Pinto warned the park should not be considered clear of poison and said people with dogs or children must be careful.
Cote said she'll be holding onto Fargo "very closely" in the future, and hopes the culprit will find the help he or she needs.
"This person is probably not really stable and probably needs a big hug," she said. :wall:
With two dogs dead and at least six others sickened, likely from poison-laced bread and contaminated drinking bowls, a usually bustling off-leash section of High Park was deserted, save for one woman who made sure to hang onto her dog Fargo's collar once she learned of Tuesday's developments.
"I live around here and I guess I'm not going to be coming back," said Suzanne Cote, her voice cracking with emotion.
"This is very distressing."
Police tape cordoned off an area known as Dog Hill and notices warning dog owners about the recent spate of poisonings were taped onto signs designating the off-leash area. On Monday, police issued a public safety alert, warning pet owners and parents about potential poisoning dangers in the massive west-end park.
Toronto police Det. Suzanne Pinto said a mushed-up pile of bread soaked in some sort of poisonous substance was found in the park Tuesday. Police were also treating a hydrant used to provide pets with drinking water as another source of the poison, which Pinto said is likely antifreeze.
But at least two of the sick dogs have no trace of antifreeze in their systems, leading police to believe there may be two sources of poison, as well as two culprits.
The off-leash area of the park has long been a source of contention between pet owners and park users who believe dogs spoil the park when they're allowed to run free.
The poisoned bread was found on the edge of the off-leash area, meaning the poisonings may be connected to the dispute, said Pinto.
She added that the poison used was so strong that it killed all the plants around the bread, yet it was clearly very enticing to animals, including Hannah, one of the dogs that died.
"Hannah ingested it and she's a good dog, she listens to her owner, but she was drawn away from her owner, she smelled this, she specifically went for it and ingested it quickly," said Pinto.
"Other than that she's a great dog, so it really was a powerful draw to the animal."
Pinto said that pet owners should take this as a lesson to keep a close eye on their pets.
"I'm not trying to scare anybody and say that our society has taken a dark turn, but you have to be vigilant with your children and your dogs and what they're sticking their noses into," she said.
"If you're going to take them off-leash and let them romp around, it's your responsibility as a good owner to know what they're going to stick their faces into."
Dozens of dead raccoons and squirrels have also been found in the area, leading police to believe that someone was testing the poison before they used it on dogs, said Pinto.
The ways in which at least two of the raccoons were posed - one with a bouquet of flowers, another with a dead squirrel - indicates the work of a "sick, twisted" individual, she added.
"You're just going after a defenceless animal, in my book. If you have a beef with the owner, you should go after the owner," said Pinto.
"This vigilantism is misplaced, it's distorted and disturbed, and it's going to lead to further trouble down the road for this individual. We're going to run into them sooner or later."
Pinto warned the park should not be considered clear of poison and said people with dogs or children must be careful.
Cote said she'll be holding onto Fargo "very closely" in the future, and hopes the culprit will find the help he or she needs.
"This person is probably not really stable and probably needs a big hug," she said. :wall: