Poisonings now subject of criminal investigation
A third Porter Creek dog consumed strychnine, toxicology tests have determined.
A third Porter Creek dog consumed strychnine, toxicology tests have determined.
With this finding, Whitehorse RCMP are taking over the criminal investigation into the city’s recent spate of dog poisonings.
Until now, the incidents were being investigated by the city’s bylaw department.
Both police and the City of Whitehorse are urging dog owners to be vigilant about what their pets are consuming and be aware of any strange items in their yards.
Last month, two Welsh Corgis on Tamarack Drive fell ill suddenly and died. Their tissue later tested positive for strychnine. (See owners’ letter in last Friday’s Star.)
Trigger, a German shepherd-husky cross who lives on the same street, fell ill on March 30 and his owner rushed him to a veterinary clinic, where his stomach was pumped. He survived.
An analysis of Trigger’s stomach contents showed the presence of the same poisoning agent, as well as raw hamburger meat.
Whitehorse RCMP Cpl. Natasha Dunmall said Tuesday a conclusive link between the meat and the strychnine cannot yet be drawn.
But an incident reported last Friday morning could be connected to the dog poisonings, she said.
At about 8:30 a.m., a Porter Creek resident called police when he found scraps of wild meat in his front yard. Three other lawns on Ninth and Tenth avenues also had meat on them.
The scraps will be tested for strychnine.
“We are looking at it with the possibility that it might be related (to the poisonings),” Dunmall told the Star.
“We’re definitely not overlooking that fact but at this time, it is too early to jump to conclusions that it is related.”
She said the possibility that a raven had raided a bag of hunter’s meat and dropped some on lawns was ruled out because the scraps were evenly distributed.
The police investigation is ongoing. Residents are asked to call police to report suspicious activity or strange items in their yards.
“It may just save a beloved pet,” said Dunmall.
The City of Whitehorse issued a public service announcement Tuesday afternoon, also advising dog owners to be alert.
“It is not known how these dogs came into contact with the substance,” the notice stated.
“Bylaw officers have visited homes in the area to notify residents of the incidents and encourage everyone to take additional precautions at this time.”
Whitehorse RCMP can be contacted at 667-5555.
Comments (11)
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Josey Wales on Apr 22, 2015 at 1:12 am
Hey Watcher, "...to the others who's pets he/she tried to kill,..."
Thank you for that all inclusive observation, so many out in comment land seem to refer to just "he". Believe me sugar & spice is not always that nice, there are some evil Venus types among us.
A twisted person does things as this, clearly few would argue that?
I appreciate the attention paid, however the Trevor the human reference is outta context a tad. The TH types are nefarious (also applicable here)...angry and hostile and like bacteria are breeding at an alarming rate. Another term I use often is scumbag, or in this case, criminal scumbag. It could morph I suppose into rage and anger, maybe it has I dunno?
A sociopath is suggested by the information we have been privy too, TH type may still be possible...but IMHO unlikely.
funny thing about that building of lunacy on 4th?
Given your desire and the desire or many here to have "it" be caught AND convicted and why...is PRECISELY why I'll go on the record and predict the ever fashionable "publication ban".
The courts main role is to molly coddle criminals, any spore of "justice" doled out remotely blind vaporized in 1982ish.
Speaking of Liberal gibberish, the Y.O.A. will also ensure we won't know a thing about it if someones brat did the deed.
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Watcher on Apr 21, 2015 at 12:08 pm
To Josey Wales: The person who murdered the Corgis and attempted to kill other dogs with no regard for children or wildlife who may have consumed his poisoned bait, is a lunatic. Not a completely non-functioning 'not guilty by reason of insanity', type of lunatic, but a murderous sociopath. Probably has anti-social personality disorder tendencies and does not mix well with the community, but nobody knows just how sick this person really is. Yet.
What should the world do with sociopaths who kill? In my world, animals are pretty important all on their own. But a person who would kill a treasured family pet, or in this case two from the same household, has caused tremendous pain to people as well as painfully and slowly killing two innocent dogs. Yes, innocent. Even if the psycho thinks they are 'guilty' of not being on a chain or some other twisted logic.
A very strong co-relation has been established between people who torture animals and other violent crimes against people, (and death by strychnine is torture). However I doubt this coward is attacking people openly, at least not violently. Perhaps fighting and arguing a lot, but not pushing it too far. Then again who knows. Maybe he or she operates along the lines of the woman who set traps for mountain bikers on a trail in BC.
Such a 'Trevor the Human' as you would put it, needs to be identified to the public. What the RCMP does beyond that is of less concern to me. But to answer your question, this person would go to court, there would be intense interest and coverage. The judge would look up the sentencing guidelines if the person were in fact to be convicted. Pay for the value of the vet bills, tests, Corgis. A civil suit for pain and suffering. A criminal conviction. A fine. Possibly (more probable now as these charges are being taken more and more seriously), jail time.
Like you Josey, I seriously want to get to the bottom of this. We share an intense desire to expose this person to the community at large, to the people with the murdered pets, to the others who's pets he/she tried to kill, for who they really are. No more hiding, sneaking around poisoning things. A criminal record and people watching for the rest of their life.
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Josey Wales on Apr 21, 2015 at 10:00 am
Most regular readers of the comment section should understand my love of critters.
That said, if ever caught "and" convicted what do you think our dysfunctional legal system could/would and SHOULD do?
Given the value of human life the courts have illustrated they do hold, which IMHO is criminal in and of itself the potential outcome looks very bleak.
The legal system (zero justice in it) cares far, faaaaar more about the folks whom CREATED the dead humans and very, very little about the deceased themselves.
Heed this potential criminal scumbag, bring harm/death to my critters and trust me, potential criminal scumbags...you would rather deal with the RCMP.
...cuz I will not, nor can I see myself doing so in the near future.
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Bobby Bitman on Apr 17, 2015 at 1:23 pm
The killer bought rat poison or some other source of strychnine. Means they probably are over a certain age because I can't imagine that deadly stuff is for sale to kids. Then again, who knows. If it is not controlled, it should be.
Next, most likely lives in Porter Creek. Has an anti-social personality, we all know them. Hates dogs, or may even be a dog owner who believes that all dogs should be under control at all times and 'deserve to be killed' if they are not being supervised. Does not care that wildlife might ingest the poison, or is too lacking in intelligence to consider this.
Could be a man or a woman. Could have thrown the poisoned meat bait from a vehicle, or walked or ridden a bicycle along 10th avenue with a bag, throwing it out. This happened in March, I am not sure of the exact date but it should be publicized.
There are probably people living in Porter Creek who know neighbours who they think are capable of something like this. There are maybe 5,000 people living in that area. It is time for people to really put on their thinking caps and try to remember if they saw anything that may be related to this crime. A person buying rat poison at Canadian Tire or Home Hardware, a person making comments about killing dogs for one reason or another. Someone they saw tossing things around on 10th Avenue... If you have seen anything or have any suspicions, you should contact the police. I was contacted once because my truck fit the description near the scene of a crime and I was only too happy to help the RCMP eliminate my vehicle as a possible lead. I was not offended in the slightest.
We really need to find out who this sick, psychotic person is before he or she kills again. Remember that Luka Magnotta started with killing kittens before he murdered Jun Lin, the foreign student. This is a seriously mentally ill person, and a very dangerous person quite capable of and comfortable with killing, and with no regard whatsoever for the suffering he or she causes to people or to animals.
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suspicious on Apr 17, 2015 at 12:04 am
Dog lover or not, whoever is disliking these comments makes me suspicious. This is making many of us nervous about even letting the dog outside…maybe we should be looking at who you are and why you think it's not a big deal to be purposely poisoning creatures around Whitehorse.
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yukon56 on Apr 16, 2015 at 4:50 pm
Make who ever is doing this eat the same bait that is being presented to dogs
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Klu on Apr 16, 2015 at 1:42 pm
Its pretty scary to think that there is a person running around free that has caused such a cruel and terrible crime.
Animal Abuse Indicates High Risk Of Psychopathic Disorder. I truly hope the RCMP can find this person.
Prayers to those who lost their pets.
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Karma on Apr 15, 2015 at 10:49 pm
Whoever is doing this, you will get what is coming to you. You are a rotten coward and psychotic. Maybe we should take a lesson from the lady who was sabotaging bike trails in Vancouver? They put up some hidden cameras and caught her.
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Thomas Brewer on Apr 15, 2015 at 10:11 pm
Make the sick bastards doing this eat their tainted meat.
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June Jackson on Apr 15, 2015 at 8:26 pm
We've always had monsters among us.. but these days, we take them to counseling and they are reproducing rapidly. Virtually nothing will happen if and when this killer is found, maybe a fine?
Whoever you are.. you are sick...and I don't care. I want you in prison, not free in a counselors office.. I hope karma comes for you very very soon.
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mary laker on Apr 15, 2015 at 6:12 pm
Some psychopath is on the loose murdering pets. Can you imagine the mental terrain of such a person? I would love, love, love to find out the name of the killer as I'm sure many others in Whitehorse would.