2 dogs die from poisoned food - Glen Gardner, NJ

Friday, Oct 21, 2011

Township police and the Hunterdon County SPCA are looking for any information that leads to an arrest in the poisoning of two dogs on Musconetcong River Road.

On Friday, Oct. 21, James Rivera found his German shepherd lying in his yard. The dog appeared to be sick. Rivera said he found a box of rat poison mixed with cat food nearby. He rushed the dog to the vet, but the animal could not be saved. Another of his dogs, which exhibited the same symptoms also died last week, Rivera told police.

The SPCA was notified and the rat poison and cat food were collected for further examination. Blood samples were also taken from the German shepherd.

Lebanon Township Police Sgt. Jack Gale said the bowl of cat food and poison was placed behind a shed on the edge of the homeowner's property line - out of sight of residents, but within reach of the dogs.

"Absolutely," the sergeant said when asked if the act appeared deliberate. "Someone placed it out there where they knew the dogs would be."

Rivera's third German shepherd is staying with a family member in Newark, Gale said, out of fear for the dog's safety.

Gale said authorities have an idea of who may be behind the poisonings but that police are still looking for evidence.

"We do have an idea, but we're trying to get some witnesses," Gale said. "We have the box of rat poisoning and are trying to lift some fingerprints off it.

"I'd love to be able to get some physical evidence from that."

Gale said this is not the first time township animals have been targeted in intentional poisonings, but he did call it among the most "blatant."

The poison was put along the property line between 251 and 253 Muscontecong River Road. The area is very secluded. The two neighbors were questioned, but no suspects have been identified.

Anyone with information should call the Lebanon Township police at 908-638-8516.

If you have information on this case, please contact:
Lebanon Township police
908-638-8516

References

• nj.com - Oct 25, 2011 lehighvalleylive.com - Oct 25, 2011

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