Puppy whose mother was killed by the poison. (NBC)
A $1000 reward is being offered by the San Diego Humane Society and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in the poisoning deaths of ten dogs from Sunday to Monday in a Logan Heights trailer neighborhood.
Police were called on Saturday and found four dead dogs and a fifth dog having convulsions but before anything could be done the dog died. On Sunday, the police were summoned back again and discovered three more dead dogs. On Monday there were another two dogs that had died. Randy Lawrence, director of investigation for the Humane Society and SPCA stated this is a "case of intentional cruelty." Necropsies are being performed on the dogs to discover what kind of poison has been used, but it could take weeks before results are known. The poison is suspected to be strychnine or a similar fast acting poison. Meanwhile dog owners are being warned not to allow their dogs to run free.
From what police have been able to gather children in the neighborhood have said they saw an elderly woman wearing yellow dish washing gloves handing out treats or dog drinks from a cup. The woman has not yet been identified. It is believed that these poisoning could be in retaliation for allowing the dogs to run free in the trailer community but even so authorities will prosecute the person or people responsible for killing these dogs as it is no excuse for killing a living creature with poison.
Police and the SPCA and SDHS are asking that if you have any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the persons involved in this crime, you may be eligible for the reward. Call 888-580-8477 or sdcrimestoppers.com