Dogs poisoned with antifreeze, ground glass - Norfolk, VA

Sunday, Feb 23, 2003

Melissa Hales said her family's dogs had still been under treatment for a previous incident in which somebody left rat poison laced with shards of glass in their back yard, in the Northside neighborhood. Though the dogs became seriously ill, they were well on their way to recovery from that incident a few weeks ago.

But Sunday, the dogs -- 1-year-old Daisy and Rosie, 5 -- became sick in the house. The Hales said they found traces of bread laced with antifreeze in their fenced-in back yard. The family lives in the 100 block of W. Leicester Ave.

A veterinarian who subsequently treated the animals found that they tested positive for antifreeze. The dogs sickened quickly, and they had to be euthanized. The incidents cost the family more than $2,400 in veterinary bills, as well as their pets.

Melissa's husband, Christopher Hales, showed remnants of the glass and the poisoned bread that the dogs had eaten. 

Police spokesman Chris Amos said the department had never received any complaint related to the animals. The perpetrator, he said, could face felony animal cruelty counts. Police had no suspects, Amos said.

Authorities in Chesapeake have also been investigating attempts to feed dogs harmful substances, said police spokeswoman Cheryl Sitler.

Six incidents in that city have come to light during the past couple of months involving either meat soaked in antifreeze or pepperoni slices stuck together with ground glass between them. One of those dogs died.

Police are asking anyone with information on cases in either city to call Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.

If you have information on this case, please contact:
Crime Line
1-888-LOCK-U-UP

References

• The Virginia Pilot - Author Matthew Roy

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