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Dogs poisoned with Paraquat Plus
Strasburg, CO (US)Incident Date: Saturday, Feb 25, 2006
County: Adams
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available
Alleged: Daniel Bowen
Case Updates: 4 update(s) available
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 UpdatesThe trial for a man accused of poisoning neighborhood dogs has again been postponed.
Daniel Bowen is charged with four counts of cruelty to animals and four counts of explosives, toxicants and poisons not to be used for the purpose of hunting wildlife.
In February and March of 2006, the owners of five dogs reported that their dogs had become mysteriously ill and later died. All of the dogs had been in the area of the 5800 block of Headlight Mile Road, when they reportedly ingested meat that had been injected with a poison used to control weeds. The dogs then became violently ill and subsequently died. Based on the investigation, it appears that Bowen used the poison to kill wild animals that he claimed were attacking his livestock.
Bowen is now scheduled for trial on November 13, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. at the Adams County Judicial Center. If convicted, he faces up to 18 months in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. | Source: Docket # 06 M 1909 and 06 M 1910
Update posted on Jul 9, 2007 - 5:02PM |
| Bowen faces four counts of cruelty to animals and violation of a wildlife statute prohibiting use of poisons to kill wildlife without a permit, all misdemeanors. His trial will begin on January 26, 2007. | Source: case #'s 06 M 1909 and 06 M 1910
Update posted on Jan 3, 2007 - 3:49PM |
Charges were brought against Daniel Bowen Monday, due to the death of four dogs in Strasburg March 2005. Bowen, 55, has been charged with four counts of cruelty to animals and four counts of explosives, toxicants and poisons not to be used for the purpose of hunting wildlife.
In March, owners reported that their five dogs had become mysteriously ill and later died. All five dogs had been in the area of the 5800 block of Headlight Mile Road, when they ingested meat that had been injected with a poison used to control weeds. The dogs then became violently ill and subsequently died. Based on the investigation, it appears that Bowen used the poison to kill wild animals that were attacking his live stock. Bowen has apologized to his neighbors.
The Adams County Sheriff's Office submitted a blood and urine sample to independent labs to show poison was present. Bowen has been issued a misdemeanor summons in connection with the death of four dogs. The fifth dog was not tested because the owners had already buried the dog.
Bowen's first court appearance is scheduled for June 5, 2006. If convicted he faces six to 18-months in county jail and/or a $500 to $5000 fine. | Source: 9 News - May 4, 2006
Update posted on May 4, 2006 - 12:12PM |
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 |
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