05/26/2024
Commentary by: Bob Wannberg
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Numerous postings have informed me that dogs are being poisoned in Pahrump and question "why" it is not being addressed.
If your dog has been poisoned or suspected of being poisoned, please feel free to send me all pertaint information!
IF POSSIBLE, ALWAYS GO OUT WITH YOUR PETS AND CHECK YOUR YARDS FOR SIGNS OF ANYTHING NOT BELONGING.
PEOPLE SHOULD BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT POSTING DOG POISONING UNLESS THEY KNOW OR HAVE PROBABLE CAUSE! (evidence indicates it probably was.
I was involved in investigating dog poisonings starting way back in 2013 and no one was charged. Elements of dog poisoning need to be proven before it can be established as criminal. Some were found to be poisoned.
If a dog ingested poison it has to be shown it was of a criminal nature to bring a charge. Such as:
1. Baited foods found placed by humans vs. wildlife. . (such as hot dogs, other baited items.)
2. Someone was seen throwing bait into a yard and/or there is video surveillance of it.
3. The bait was tested to be an actual poison.
4. A veterinarian tested blood samples showing poison.
5. If the dog died, a necropsy documenting poison.
As you can surmise, this can be very expensive .
Why can't the county perform these tests if a dog dies under suspicious circumstances?
There are many illnesses' that may mimic poisoning. They need to establish probable cause the poisonings is criminal and then make such a decision.
PROVING an animal has been poisoned vs. BELIEVING IT is different . You and I may feel an animal was poisoned, but in trial it has to be proven. A defendant doesn’t have to say or do anything.
SO, how can you help? What do you do if your pet becomes sick and you suspect they have been poisoned?
Some Advice:
1. ALWAYS SEEK IMMEDIATE VETERINARY CARE IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR PET HAS BEEN POSIONED. TIME IS VITAL.
2. SEARCH FOR ANY BAITED FOODS N THE YARD . PHOTOGRAPH ANY FOUND .
3. REPORT ANY SUSPECTED POSIONING TO POLICE! Get a Report Number.
4. SUSPECT(S). “Intelligence” in a case is vital . Report everything but understand, everything you see or hear is not a crime. Driving slowly in front of houses is not a crime, nor is walking up to a fence- throwing something found to be toxic in a yard is.
I would say nothing is unimportant, it is important to lend weight values to everything .
Understand , authorities will often withhold certain key pieces of evidence from the public so when an actual suspect is found, the one really responsible will also know these things.
5. EVALUATE ACTIONS in placing yourself in legal and physical peril in confronting suspects. A suspect to you may not be a suspect to the police or under the law.
6. PATTERNS patterns of suspected pensioning need to be documented. By Streets, times and noting any modus operadi or common denominators.
If you’re going to become involved, do it with the proper knowledge and safe guards.
7. EVIDENCE. Many symptoms of poisonings may mirror other illness. Almost always, and ideally in every case, blood toxicology and necropsy is necessary to criminally substantiate poisoning. Protect any found evidence.
Place found foreign bait in a plastic bag.
SECURITY SURVEILLANCE FILM.
Some can be good, others terrible.
The proof is needed to substantiate a crime
If you find a suspect, there may be others. Report them.
REPORT ALL RELATED POISONING CASES TO POLICE.
Make sure all of your companion pets are properly vaccinated, it is the law as to Rabies. Minimize the risk of your pet catching illness
