var _sf_startpt=(new Date()).getTime() Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: 6 dogs poisoned with antifreeze - South Brunswick, NJ (US)
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Case ID: 9990
Classification: Poisoning
Animal: dog (non pit-bull)
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6 dogs poisoned with antifreeze
South Brunswick, NJ (US)

Incident Date: Monday, Sep 11, 2006
County: Middlesex

Disposition: Open

Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!

Three dogs died, and another three are fighting for their lives after someone poisoned them by throwing hamburger meat laced with antifreeze into their owner's backyard on the night of Sept 11.

James Dexter said his wife, Cheryl, found one of the the dogs dead on the morning of Sept 12 and another sick. After taking them to the Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, doctors found traces of ethylene glycol, a chemical used in antifreeze, had been ingested by all six dogs.

"This is just evil," James Dexter said. "My wife is lying in her bed refusing to talk to anyone except me and her mother because she is so upset. How could anyone do this?"

The poison killed 10-year-old sibling Yorkshire Terriers Fred and Ginger, along with Blue, a 5-year-old wire-haired dapple dachshund mix known for his bright blue eyes.

The family's other dogs - Norman, a 10-year-old dachshund; Schatzel a 13-year-old dachshund and Sassafras, a roughly 1-year-old Newfoundland mix - each became sick, but were treated at the Red Bank Veterinary Hospital and are expected to make full recoveries, James Dexter said.

"We are still trying to come to terms with what happened," said James Dexter, who was on a business trip to Savannah, Ga., when the poisoning occurred. "These dogs are like our children. If anyone had a problem with us they should have told us instead of taking it out on Fred, Ginger and Blue because they are just innocent creatures."

Police detective Jim Ryan said the family's home lies in a quiet neighborhood off Route 27 in the township's Kingston section. He said the department has not received any complaints of the dogs barking.

Dexter said he and his wife rescued the dogs from various shelters. All of the family's dogs came from difficult situations where they were either mistreated or abandoned, except Fred and Ginger, who belonged to a family friend in Canada who passed away five years ago.

"The home was well kept, and there was nothing specific about it that would draw attention," Ryan said. "What's more upsetting is that these dogs were given a second chance in life, and someone has taken that away from them."

Township police said they are following a number of leads but gave no specific information on possible suspects. Anyone with information is asked to call Ryan, who is investigating the case, at (732) 329-4646.

Antifreeze poisoning kills roughly 10,000 pets every year, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Ethylene glycol, the primary ingredient in antifreeze, has an appealing smell and a sweet taste to animals, but as little as a tablespoon can kill a 20-pound dog. Typically, animals will either lick at small spills or drink from open containers.

James Dexter said the dogs slept with him and his wife each night. He said while they rescued the dogs with hopes of rehabilitating them it was usually hard to let them go.

"We were always better at bringing them in than finding them another home," Dexter said. "We were so close to them. We are just devastated right now."

If you have information on this case, please contact:
Police detective Jim Ryan
(732) 329-4646

References

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