POLICE PROBE DEATHS OF 5 NEIGHBORHOOD DOGS.Byline: Sherry Joe Crosby Daily News Staff Writer Five dogs have mysteriously died in the past three days in the same neighborhood, and animal welfare officials are investigating the possibility that they were poisoned. The carcasses were taken to the East Valley Animal Shelter "Dog Pound" redirects here. For the rap group, see Tha Dogg Pound. An animal shelter is a facility that houses homeless, lost or abandoned animals; primarily a large variety of dogs and cats. , where a veterinarian veterinarian /vet·er·i·nar·i·an/ (vet?er-i-nar´e-an) a person trained and authorized to practice veterinary medicine and surgery; a doctor of veterinary medicine. vet·er·i·nar·i·an n. is testing tissue samples to determine the cause of death. Officials are unwilling to characterize the deaths as foul play foul play n. Unfair or treacherous action, especially when involving violence. foul play Noun 1. violent activity esp. murder 2. but noted that the dogs were allowed to run loose and could have encountered some sort of pesticide. However, five animal deaths in such a small area - all the animals lived in the 14000 block of Arlee Place - is unusual, said Peter Persic, spokesman for the Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Animal Services Department. Three of the dead dogs were found with blood on their mouths and noses, Persic said. One was found alive but later died. Toxicology reports on blood, liver and spleen samples taken from the dogs could be ready as soon as Monday, Persic said. Animal regulation officers have quizzed residents to determine if the dogs ate a toxic chemical Any chemical which, through its chemical action on life processes, can cause death, temporary incapacitation, or permanent harm to humans or animals. This includes all such chemicals, regardless of their origin or of their method of production, and regardless of whether they are produced , were deliberately poisoned or died of natural causes. ``The animals may have consumed a toxic or poison, had a freak accident. We don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. . We haven't seen anything,'' said Dena Mangiamele, the city's chief veterinarian. The first three - a mixed Doberman, a mixed chow named Fluffy and a mixed Labrador puppy - were found Tuesday. The next day, resident Connie Owens said she found a stray pit bull in her front yard, but it died while on the vet's examination table. And on Friday, a pit bull was found dead. The mysterious deaths have alarmed residents who fear their pets may be the next victims. ``Everybody up here has animals. We're scared to death,'' said Owens, who has a mixed-breed dog A mixed-breed dog (also called a mutt, crossbreed, mongrel, a bitsa, tyke, cur, or random-bred dog) is a dog that has characteristics of more than two breeds, or is a descendant of feral or pariah dog populations. and cat. ``Something has to be done.'' Persic, pointing to the city's leash law, advised pet owners to keep a close eye on their animals until the cause of the mysterious deaths is solved. ``We understand that people are concerned and that they are afraid, but it really doesn't help the situation,'' Persic said. ``Pet owners should not allow their dogs to roam. They should keep their dogs on their property.'' |
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