More dogs poisoned in Napa | Napa Valley Register

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More dogs poisoned in Napa

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

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By MARSHA DORGAN
Register Staff Writer

Dead dogs possibly poisoned

Dogs recovering, reward contributions accepted

Update: Reward offeredThree dogs, including a police K-9, were poisoned sometime Monday morning.

One of the three German shepherds, Lily, died. The other two, Ruby and Rex — Napa Police Officer Ryan Cole’s K-9 partner — are being treated at California Pet Hospital in Napa.

“We caught Rex soon enough. I feel confident he will recover,” veterinarian Randy Lung said on Monday evening. “I am optimistic about Ruby recovering as well, but it is still pretty early. She is still very groggy.”

“I am positive that the dogs were poisoned with snail bait,” Lung said.

Peecook said investigators believe someone threw a box of snail bait over Cole’s backyard fence in north Napa where the three dogs were running loose.

This is the second dog poisoning using snail bait in the past five days.

Last Wednesday, Sheri Smith returned from work to her Browns Valley home to find her three dogs dead in her backyard. The dogs, two greyhounds and a German shepherd/husky mix, died from eating snail bait.

Peecook said detectives are investigating if the two incidents are related.

Cole did not take Rex with him to work on Monday because it was a training day for the officer, Napa Police Cmdr. Jeff Troendly said. “His wife found the dogs in different stages of seizures Monday morning.”

“We don’t know if this latest poisoning is random or if these dogs and their owners were targeted,” Peecook said. “We also don’t know if or when the box of snail bait was thrown over the fence, if it was open or if the dogs tore it open.”

Peecook said investigators do not believe the suspect is a neighbor.

“The box was thrown over the fence near the front of the house,” she said. “The owners of these dogs and the dogs that died last week don’t know each other.”

Peecook urges pet owners to bring their animals inside the house if possible or lock them in a kennel.

“Before you let them run loose in the backyard, check the yard for anything suspicious,” she said.

A $1,500 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for poisoning all of the dogs.

Snail bait, usually in the form of pellets, resembles dried dog food. Often the snail bait is flavored and has a sweet smell to it, Peecook said.

Symptoms of snail bait poisoning include muscle tremors, which get progressively worse, Lung said. “The animal will also display anxiety symptoms, such as the ears pinned back. From there they go into seizures and if not treated, death.”

Lung said he treats very few animals for malicious poisoning. “Usually with something like snail bait poisoning, people put it on their lawns and gardens and the animals seek it out.”

49 comment(s)

Napa wrote on Nov 4, 2008 12:36 AM:

" The individual or individuals doing this are very sick and need to be caught ASAP. They've killed a police officer as a K-9 is regarded as such. There are no words to console such actions. If this is a serial issue or quickly becoming one, I ask all animal lovers to watch their pets and keep them indoors if you have to. "

noblindershere wrote on Nov 4, 2008 5:45 AM:

" a house that has teenage boys was hit and a police officers house...um sounds fishy. Do the boys have a past? Ofcourse there is a link, come on Napa PD.
Need to figure this one out soon before a child gets a hold of the snail bait. "

starling wrote on Nov 4, 2008 6:40 AM:

" Many years ago my brother's shepard was poisoned in Napa also. One of the first signs we noticed was that he had foam around his mouth and was having a really hard time walking. Fortunately he was saved but always had a very weak digestive track after it. Whoever is doing this is a heartless beast that needs to be brought to the swiftest and harshess justice that can be given. There is never an excuse to poison or hurt and animal, period. "

jwk wrote on Nov 4, 2008 6:43 AM:

" How do we build up this reward fund? I'm in for a $100 bill..These B%$#@*'s need to be caught and prosecuted. ANYONE who would do this to an animal needs to be punished and locked up not just slapped on the wrist. This person or these People are sick and dangerous!!! "

hudds5 wrote on Nov 4, 2008 6:51 AM:

" Thefts, vandalism, gangs, and dog killings...what direction is Napa going in? We need to start looking out for each other a lot better. "

Cadence wrote on Nov 4, 2008 6:55 AM:

" Awful.
Previous posters who led off with the "yeah, but barking..." arguments, please weigh in now. A pair of gentle greyhounds earlier, along with a shepherd husky - dogs who the neighbors said barked very seldom - and now 3 shepherds. including a police dog. What next, someone's seeing eye dog? Someone's toddler who may taste the snail bait tossed into his yard? Maybe move on to dog owners?
This sounds like more than a disgruntled neighbor. The poisoner is clearly obsessed and dangerous and must be found. "

Maya wrote on Nov 4, 2008 7:01 AM:

" This is so sad! I'm glad all 3 didn't die this time, but it's still awful. Whoever did these things is sick. "

frenchtoast wrote on Nov 4, 2008 7:50 AM:

" THIS is an OUTRAGE! I cannot believe someone would do that. I am so sorry for the loss of Lily and Sheri's three dogs - members of your families. How horrible to come home to your pets this way...I will pray the Vets can help these two dogs make it through this poisoning. I hope the reward is helpful in finding the evil culprit(s?), and I hope they get food poisoning sometime soon (KARMA). "

Gaygagne wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:25 AM:

" If this latest action was suppose to harm Rex, who is Ryan's K-9 the culprit failed, and poor Lily paid the price, as well as Ryan, Lisa, and their Children. It is absolutley disgraceful that a Man who puts his life on the line everyday, and who's Family makes sacrafices as being a "Police officer's Family" should have to endure this sort of thing.
At some point this dirtbag will need a cop, and hopefully there wont be one for him, or better yet, it will be Rex and he will remember him and rip his #*#* off!!!
Our hearts hurt for all the dogs poisoned, and all the Families hurting.
Gagne' Family "

misfit wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:37 AM:

" Is it possible for us to learn where exactly this incident took place??? North Napa kind of leaves a large area. Maybe someone could piece together something they may have seen if they knew where the incident took place. Something as innocent as someone running might not be noticed but might be meaningful if we knew where this happened. Have I missed something here?
I am so sorry for the owners of these pets. I have 2 dogs and 4 cats and this kind of thing would devastate me. Let's catch these a-holes! "

db76 wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:47 AM:

" I wouldnt be surprised if we are going to see more copycat crimes like this in the future. Every idiot with 5 dollars can go out and buy some poison now that they know that dogs like snail bait. "

MichelleG wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:52 AM:

" This is disgusting. I can't wait for the person(s) responsible to get busted, fined and tossed in jail where they belong. "

KTZ wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:52 AM:

" Whoever did this is seriously sick and needs to be arrested. Also, "Napa" is right that these sickos killed a police officer - I believe the city needs to find them NOW.

I feel tremendously for the owners of the dogs - my heart goes out to them.

I didn't see the earlier comment about barking, but there's no excuse for poisoning a dog for that either. It's cruel, murderous, and cowardly no matter how you look at it.
I'm in for $100.

Singular people don't do this kind of thing, so maybe someone will take a look at a larger reward and realize they're protecting the wrong person...

And if you don't think that killing dogs is an issue, remember that prisons are filled with murderers who started out with innocent animals as their victims. "

notshocked wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:53 AM:

" hudds5 is right... there is a definite connection between animal cruelty and human violence. The community (and individually this can be done) may benefit from looking into the Humane Society's First Strike program. There are many resources on their website for community action.

Don't let this spiral any further! "

cartoondogs wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:57 AM:

" All of Napa's 4-legged families need to be vigilant--check your yards, be on the lookout for suspicious individuals. It's easy to blame these senseless murders on kids, but most kids I know love animals, and kids know our neighborhoods better than most of us. I hope Napa's teens rally to protect their neighborhoods and capture these fiends, and I sure hope anyone buying "unsafe" snail bait has their DL# written down by the clerk! "

Napa_Citizen wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:01 AM:

" Its not just Napa going in this direction, it seems to be a trend of the world. Non feeling, numb, uncaring, people with no conscience....do you know one? :-|
These are symptoms of a source. The question is what is the source? Is it the broken homes, the amount of media we take in, the exposure to violent movies, tv programs and video games, the lack of feeling connected to your community? God only knows.... "

Fiesty1 wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:05 AM:

" This is horrible. My heart goes out to these families. How about providing us with the name of the street where the latest attack occured? Is there a time frame that this occured? Maybe there was someone out there that saw something out of the ordinary in their neighborhood yesterday, but if they don't read about it in the paper (with a location) how can they come forward with that information? "

Straight Talk wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:19 AM:

" This is very serious and can, as other note, change quickly from poisoning dogs to harming people.

I'm with jwk. Where do we send the check for the reward fund? "

proudmama2 wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:34 AM:

" A reward is a great idea. BUT does this family need assistance in getting the best care for these animals so they don't die? I would be willing to help a little with the vet bills. "

Jenn wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:49 AM:

" It just makes me sick to read this. How could someone do something so horrible! I really hope that this person gets caught, they deserve to have the book thrown at them.

I just hope that no more pups get sick or die from this sorta sick thing. I cant belive someone could take the lives of our pets for whatever their sick reason is. They are our family, not just pets!

I agree with others NVR, where can we donate to the reward fund?? "

SUSIE-Q wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:50 AM:

" How could someone kill a pair of the most gentle dogs on earth? I work with the greyhound rescue here and they are the best dogs to have. All retired racing greyhounds want is a warm place to sleep, food to eat and someone to love them. Their's is not an easy life and to have someone needlesly take it away from them is downright cruel. Whoever is doing this is several sandwiches shy of a picnic. He or they need to be stopped before a small child winds up dead. "

alexzchef wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:50 AM:

" I have 2 greyhounds and I had kust met Sheri and Geysha a week before the dogs were murdered. I am very sad and scared too. It is really a sad sad day when we have to watch our yards for poison before we lot our dogs and kids out. I sincerely hope they catch these horrible people. In the meantime, all we can do is make as many people as possible aware and be on the lookout for suspicious people. "

funnyme wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:07 AM:

" I am certain NPD is working pretty hard to get these (can't type it)...quickly.

I wish "eye for an eye" was in place so we could "feed" the same stuff to these (can't type it). "

sunny wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:11 AM:

" I can't help but think the second incident may have been a copycat action. Perhaps it would have been good if it had not been published what sort of poison had been used. Who knows, maybe that idea was planted in the mind of some other sicko. Since it isn't known, I assume, when the poison is being thrown, it's a good idea for dogowners to check yards in the morning even if your dogs have been inside during the night. This is so sad.
My heart goes out to the dogs, dead and recovering, and their families. "

forlily wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:31 AM:

" As the grandmother of the two children in the Cole family, I have to add how much this incident has devasted the kids. They had a horrible time sleeping last night. This cruel person/s not only injured/killed dogs but they have damaged these kids for a long time to come. We learn soon enough how cruel and mean people can be but they have had to learn this sooner than most. I was with them yesterday afternoon when their parents had to tell them what had happened. It was very sad moment. I realize that we're talking about animal vs. human life but to these children it didn't make a difference!

There seems to be some confusion about Rex, the K-9 dog. He did not die and is doing better today. The family dog, Ruby, an old German Shorthair is doing better too. It was touch and go with her. Unfortunately their other German Shorthair, one year old Lily, did not make it. "

localmama wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:33 AM:

" Not to point fingers...but I would start with what these two homes have in common.... Pizza delivery, landscaper, pool person??? "

Native74 wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:35 AM:

" This is horrible. I'm not sure how much it costs, but I will be looking into a security camera for my yard. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but first animals and then what? Awful.

Hey NVR, is there a possible link for donations that could be set up? "

Napa Napkin wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:54 AM:

" This is just horrible...
How can we all come together as a community and help?
Last month with all the robberies we were considering a surveillance camera. But now this... we are definately putting one up, and keeping our dog inside for a while. "

NVR-Dan Ross wrote on Nov 4, 2008 11:18 AM:

" Look for an update on this story within the hour, including ways you can help out. "

shan wrote on Nov 4, 2008 11:34 AM:

" I am sickened at the behavior of these people, the level of hate it takes to poison innocent animals is huge. We need to find these people NOW and sentence them to the fullest extent of the law, unfortunately the punishment for animal cruelty does not fit the crime. Maybe it's time for harsher punishment for crimes against animals. My heart goes out to the families grieving for the loss of their pets. I know that Dr. Lung will do anything possible to save these animals he is the best vet I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. "

napanative wrote on Nov 4, 2008 12:09 PM:

" As I hold my 3 dogs closer than most of my friends, or distant relatives...so help me if anything happens to them...someone better look out! If whoever is doing this thinks this is a way of retaliation or just someone bored looking for a little excitement, either way...who raised you? Who taught you that this is acceptable? Do you know that if a child gets a hold of snail bait what will happen? Or do you even care? When did you turn into such a monster that gives you the right to take a life? I challenge all neighbors and friends to please open your eyes, and most of all your MOUTH!!! Speak up if you see anything suspicious. Knock on a door for once in your life to let your neighbor know you care. If we don't watch out for each other, no one else will. I know how busy and stressed the Napa PD is trying to make this town safe and trouble free. But they can't do it alone!!! Get off your butts, and do something. Stand up for yourself and those around you who don't deserve this. Please, for me and my family, I ask for your help. "

cathyodom wrote on Nov 4, 2008 12:37 PM:

" This is awful... Ryan Cole, and Ruby, Rex and Lily, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your children. We need to find out who did this and charge them with animal cruelty, and can we do attempted murder of a police officer for a dog? This is so devastating to Napa. "

Two Cents wrote on Nov 4, 2008 1:51 PM:

" NPD: I KNOW THAT THIS WOULD BE TIME CONSUMING, BUT CANT YOU CALL ALL THE STORES IN THE AREA WHO SELL THIS STUFF (primarily OSH, Home Depot, etc) AND SEE IF ANY ONE PERSON IN PARTICULAR IS BUYING LOTS OF SNAIL BAIT?
OR MAYBE REQUIRE PEOPLE WHO PURCHASE THIS ITEM IN THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS TO LOG THEIR NAME ON A SHEET WHICH GETS TURNED INTO THE POLICE WEEKLY.
THIS ABSOLUTELY SICKENS ME TO THING OF THIS HAPPENING TO MY DOG. "

Dwayne wrote on Nov 4, 2008 3:10 PM:

" Well, Two Cents, that's not a bad idea, except that more dogs die from anti-freeze poisoning then snail bait poisoning... Then there's rat poison, chocolate, and lots of ingenious and cruel ways to poison animals...

Besides, it only takes a partial package, not "lots" of bait to kill a dog....

Nice try though.... :-) "

napatab wrote on Nov 4, 2008 4:07 PM:

" This is absolutely horrible. As a member of a NPD family I cannot even begin to explain how angry/scared we were yesterday when we heard the news. Not to mention terrified that more dogs could be victims. I cannot even imagine what I would do if our dog was targeted. He is more than just a dog to us; he is a member of our family. We have told everyone they know to please keep their dogs under a watchful eye and in doors as much as possible until this sick person(s) is caught. I assure you, NPD is doing everything they can to find them…and when then do, I know we will all make sure they are punished to the full degree. "

pharper wrote on Nov 4, 2008 6:07 PM:

" This is a truly horrible incident--cruelty to animals often leads to cruelty towards humans. This person (or people) need to be caught ASAP, before they graduate to harming people. My heart goes out to these people I don't know what I'd do if someone hurt my dogs. "

napadad wrote on Nov 4, 2008 6:10 PM:

" If the person or persons that did this are reading this blog NOW would be the time to turn yourself in the longer you wait the more serious the consequences will be when you are caught. And you will be caught I can assure you, some one you know will rat you out now that you have poisoned a police dog, or because there is a reward. Pick up the phone and call an attorney cause its all about looking over your shoulder ALL THE TIME not being able to trust anyone now and sleepless nights wondering when the door is coming down. We will be seeing your name in the paper soon! "

candice wrote on Nov 4, 2008 7:33 PM:

" To Sherri and her family, and to the officer of Rex and his other canine friends.
Sherri, this is tragic for you and I will post some $$ for the capture of this "beast".
I think it is showing the stupidity of the person who did this to follow up with a police dog.
If you kill a member of the police force doesn't that mean the death penalty? Well thank God that Rex lived, only to find the killer on the loose. I bet all I have that Rex will and is capable of finding the culprite. And I hope that the punishment meets the crime.
I love my dogs, but children can easily come into contact with such a random act.
I am hoping that Rex will recover and remember his training and catch that person responsible and........leave him alone with whoever is responsible for a bit.
And make peace with Sherri's loved ones.

What about fingerprinting? the boxes?

I put my trust into Rex to do his job...and make his kind proud.
Please let him sniff it all out when he recovers.

Sherri, I will post my contribution on the Wine Country Greyhound Association site. Rescue works!!!
For all dogs!!! "

suze wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:48 PM:

" I question the sense of having a commonly used garden product lethally poisonous to dogs (and cats.) Two companies make a 'safe' snail bait so why is the other stuff even out there? Dogs use yards, a lot of people do not bother to read labels. Poisonous snail bait makes no sense to me.
My heart goes out to the families and dogs affected by this sick and angry person/s. "

Ratfqur wrote on Nov 5, 2008 8:51 AM:

" You never know if this heartless coward has a higher motive. We have plenty of creeps running around this town who would systematcally do away with the "barking alarm" only to gain access onto your property. I cannot begin to express how much my heart goes out to people who lose a loved one (pet) to such a cowardly act such as this. I'll never forget the day we lost a family member (my grandma's German Sheppard) the same way when I was a little kid. Only people can be so evil to innocent creatures and pets and if you think animals can be cruel to people (pit-bulls for example), it's usually because people made them that way. "

NapaConservative wrote on Nov 5, 2008 6:51 PM:

" I wonder what the connection is between these two? Dr.Lung is my choice of vet in Napa and will take good care of these poor defenseless animals! This person should be ashamed of themselves!!! "

omnidra wrote on Nov 6, 2008 10:57 AM:

" Poor Puppies, thats so messed up. I hope if they are caught they get fed snail posion in thier jail food, see how they like it. "

8-ball wrote on Nov 6, 2008 7:56 PM:

" Very SAD...I think it is a sign of our don't give a hoot adittude and violence in general. Their is no modern punishment to fit this crime. Someone was very mean to them at sometime or another. Think before you act right? Parents be careful how you mold your little ones! "

puppy owner wrote on Nov 7, 2008 1:16 PM:

" What is the latest on this horrible tragedy? My heartfelt sympathies go to these families. I hope you all find peace from this nightmare. "

bettye wrote on Nov 7, 2008 9:37 PM:

" Anyone who does this should be made to watch the animal die.. It is a horrible way to die .. we had a little dog that was poisoned and my son saw his pet go into convulsions and die right before his eyes. That was years ago and I know my son can still feel the pain that that person caused .. Very cold and heartless to do this ... "

skeptic wrote on Nov 8, 2008 9:47 PM:

" shocking news. catching anyone who did this should be a top priority because a killer is on the loose.
there is a number to call to donate for the reward on another link nearby.thanks to those who donated too.
suze. i agree. this brand of bait should be banned. we found our dog seizing under a bush in the yard. luckily we were home at the time and she had just eaten the bait. after going to the vet we took her to the animal emergency place in cordelia and they spent the whole night saving her . i was amazed when they said 4 of their 5 dogs in intensive care had all eaten the same brand of bait.this was a couple of years ago and not related to the current crimes.
let's write our legislators and ask to limit the sale of this horrible poison just like they did arsenic and cyanide, once available in the hardware store.
hundreds of dogs, if not thousands , could be saved if this poison were banned and there are other safer snail baits. they work just as well too. "

mofosheee wrote on Nov 10, 2008 11:11 AM:

" While this is a horrendous act, in recent days a man was nearly stabbed to death in front of a downtown Napa business.

I am perplexed as to why the news of this event has disappeared from the Napa Register.

I also ask why my e-mails to the Mayor have gone unresponded "

NapaDriver wrote on Nov 12, 2008 8:23 PM:

" I'm sorry to hear of the brutallity put upon the innocent animals, yet it makes me wonder why snail bait is even sold. Salt has always worked at deterring snails and after googling snail bait and reading what it is capable of doing, not only to animals, but people as well. I think perhaps more control needs to be taken in the sales.
As for the inhumane people poisonning these innocent pets, they need to be caught immediately, before they expand onto, not only innocent animals, but someone innocent child.
Their acts should be viewed as a crime that leaves them in prison for a very long time. Pets are family members and a treasure to all humans, what they have done is a crime against humanity. "

Ephemerol wrote on Nov 23, 2008 11:37 AM:

" Many years ago in Mill Valley, where I lived at the time, we had an ongoing serial dog poisoner ( psychopath ) like this and it went on for *years* and he / she was never arrested or identified. I found my landlords dog ( upstairs from me ) in time as the seizures began and she was saved, and my other neighbor's giant German Shepard was also nearly killed this way. I personally suspected that it was a city employee ( just my gut instinct here ) as it was all done from a moving car and someone had clear detailed knowledge of our canyon and it's streets and dogs ( think USPS or local PD here as per any suspects ), however as with all such matters is *very* easy to let ones imagination to run fully amuck. People who do such things can also appear very normal and may hold positions of community trust and status also. They feel an overwhelming sense of power and entitlement in taking life this way as well as revenge and even sexual thrills. They are not fully formed humans and have missing and deeply damaged developmental stages. I suspect highly that this will be solved promptly as it's no longer 1952 or even 1972. "

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