Case Details

Dogs poisoned with Paraquat Plus
Strasburg, CO (US)

Date: Feb 25, 2006
Disposition: Not Charged
Case Images: 1 files available

Person of Interest: Dan Bowen

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 7716
Classification: Poisoning
Animal: dog (non pit-bull)
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Animal was offleash or loose
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The EPA issued a warning to a Strasburg resident for allegedly soaking meat with a herbicide that killed four dogs and poisoned another dog.

Dan Bowen, who lives north of Strasburg, told EPA officials he was trying to poison coyotes with Paraquat Plus, said Mike Risner, EPA spokesman.

Bowen, who lives north of Strasburg, allegedly soaked meat in Paraquat Plus and placed it on nearby property, at the intersection of 56th Avenue and Headlight Road, according to a news release by EPA spokesman Frank Montarelli.

Adams County Sheriff's spokesman Louis Dixon said officers are investigating the case for possible cruelty to animal charges.

He said on Feb. 25, two Strasburg residents were tending their horses when they saw two dogs eating meat on the road near the 5800 block of Headlight Mile Road. The owners, who are veterinarians, stopped their dogs from eating the meat, but the dogs became violently ill.

The owners treated the dogs, but they died, Dixon said.

Since then two other dogs who ate meat in the area also apparently died of poisoning, he said.

One dog is still under treatment, Dixon said.

Montarelli said residents should keep any pet on a leash and ensure children stay away from any food found outdoors.

Paraquat Plus, a restricted-use pesticide, is highly toxic and registered with EPA as an herbicide. Herbicides are used to kill weeds and grasses.

The label on the herbicide container says, "DANGER: one swallow can kill."

Symptoms are prolonged and painful. The onset of symptoms may be delayed for up to three days after swallowing, Montarelli said.

Using a herbicide for any other purpose than for which it was intended violates the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, he said.

Case Updates

Adams County police started an animal cruelty investigation after at least four dogs died in the same area. "It's tough to treat your own dogs as a veterinarian," said Ken Hanks, a veterinarian. "Especially when it seems your own dogs aren't making any progress."

Both of Hanks' dogs, Rooster and Tanner, died within a week of going for a walk in a creek bed. Hanks said they ate something they found. "It's just crushing to watch your own dogs suffer," Hanks said. The Environmental Protection Agency said the dogs "died from eating Paraquat in contaminated meat." Paraquat is a restricted pesticide that can kill if swallowed.

At least 3 other neighbor dogs have died or gotten sick from the poison and a criminal investigation is underway. Dan Bowen, a rancher in Strasburg, was named as a suspect for allegedly putting out poisoned meat in an effort to control coyotes. "He has confessed to setting out these poisons," Hanks said. "I told him it was grossly irresponsible and I also told him it was an environmental issue and it's poisoned our land." A spokesman for the Adams County's Sheriff Department said they are still working on the case before felony animal cruelty charges can be filed. Bowen could not be reached for comment.
Source: CBS4 Denver News - March 17, 2006
Update posted on Mar 22, 2006 - 8:00AM 

References

Denver Post - March 17, 2006

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