By GABRIELLA BOCK | Reporter
Palisadian dogs have been poisoned by ‘treats’ thrown over fences into backyards over the last few days.
Michael Moore, senior lead officer for Pacific Palisades with Los Angeles Police Department, urged dog owners to watch out for the treats that resemble balls of brownie mix.
In one case, two dog shared a ball of the mix and then, luckily, vomited it up.
A few days later another owner discovered the mix before his corgi could eat it and handed it over to LAPD for analysis.
There are also reports of at least two other similar cases going back a month, but those could not be confirmed before press time.
The two cases under police investigation for animal cruelty took place around Paseo del Puerto in Sunset Mesa. The other cases were reported east around Castellammare.
One owner reported that the brownie mix may have been laced with rat poison, but chocolate itself is toxic to many animals.
In both cases, a single adult male was spotted walking near the gardens during daylight hours when the treats were dispensed. It is suspected he targeted the dogs by their barking.
Moore said this was an “extremely unusual and strange” series of events in a community known for its love of dogs: A petition for a dog park has attracted thousands of signatures.
At least one of the afflicted owners has now set up a complex CCTV system in case the poisoner returns. Meanwhile, police are urging dog owners to be more watchful over their pets until an arrest has been made.
“We do not have a motive at this time,” Moore said.
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