Probe Asked of Possible Dog Poisonings

Concerned by the recent sudden illness of at least two dogs in their Winnetka neighborhood, two residents asked city animal regulation officials Wednesday to investigate what they believe to be the poisoning of their pets.

Officials from the city’s Department of Animal Regulation said samples of suspicious meat found near the pets have been sent to a lab but it has yet to be determined whether the animals were poisoned. Both dogs survived.

Jackie David, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Department of Animal Regulation, said the samples were sent to Michigan for testing and that results are expected in about a week.

Several residents near Sunnybrae and Valerio streets reported finding hamburger meat, frozen solid and about the same shape and size as a tennis ball in their frontyards or backyards.

“It’s very, very disturbing to have something like this happen,” said Karen Wagner, who owns the English springer spaniel that became so ill earlier this week that it had to be rushed to an animal hospital emergency room. The dog’s condition has stabilized.

A neighbor, Teri Lockett, said her dog also became ill at about the same time. “He was stiff and shaky . . . very heavy breathing, saliva; it was not a pretty sight,” she said.

The Winnetka dogs became ill just days after three dogs died in Eagle Rock under suspicious circumstances.

Dan Knapp, general manager of the department, says he doesn’t believe the two cases are connected.

Wagner’s veterinarian, Young Kim, said he believes the Wagners’ dog had been poisoned by strychnine, a substance that affects an animal’s nervous system. The dog was convulsing and its eyes were glazed over--symptoms of strychnine poisoning, he said.

Strychnine is a substance most commonly found in pesticide and rodent poisoning, department officials said.

Councilwoman Laura Chick, who represents the area, said she has received two calls about alleged animal poisonings. “It’s mindboggling that someone is out there doing these things,” she said. “My office is working with [the Department of Animal Regulation] and LAPD to make sure the individuals doing these horrible acts are apprehended.”

Lt. Richard Felosky of the animal regulation department said animal poisoning is a felony punishable by up to five years in state prison and a $20,000 fine.