Yesterday, we reported on a series of dog poisonings at Carriage Lane Park in Mesa. At the time that story was published, we'd been unable to reach a spokesman at the city. Today, we learned that Mesa Animal Control is indeed investigating the poisonings -- which have been linked to meat laced with Strychnine left on the ground in the park -- and what steps the city and Mesa Animal Control are taking to find the perpetrator and warn dog owners.
Mesa spokesman Kevin Christopher confirmed that Mesa Animal Control officer Chad Willis (whom we're waiting to speak with) has opened a case file on the poisonings. Christopher said they are investigating four suspicious cases of possible poisoning and two confirmed poisoning cases, one of which was fatal. He also says animal control has sent some meat from Carriage Lane park to the University of Arizona lab for analysis.
"We're obviously concerned that someone is putting something out there that could make dogs sick, or worse, it could make children sick," Christopher says.
Christopher said concerned neighbors have put up warning signs around the park, and the city's advising residents to be more careful in the parks. "From a control standpoint, we always tell people to keep your dog on a leash, and residents shouldn't let their animals eat any kind of meat or food off the ground," he says.
"At this point, nobody's seen anything out there [at the park], so we don't have a suspect, which is why the police haven't gotten involved yet," Christopher says.
Anyone with any complaints or information is asked to call Mesa Animal Control at 480-644-2268.
