TORONTO — Two Ontario police forces say they're investigating what they suspect to be deliberate attempts to poison dogs.
Officers from both the Toronto police and York Regional Police say they've received reports of what appear to be tainted dog treats left in areas popular among dog walkers.
One pug/beagle mix died 48 hours after consuming kibble found along the path she was walking with her owner.
Another dog in Toronto became sick after picking up a chewable treat that police say smelled as though it had been soaked in bleach.
Both police forces say the treats are currently being tested to confirm whether they've been tainted.
In the meantime, however, they are urging the public to be vigilant in monitoring their pets.
York Regional Police Const. Laura Nicolle said the fatal incident took place on Wednesday after the dog's owner noticed her chewing what appeared to be kibble on their walk.
Later that day, Nicolle said the dog became violently ill and eventually grew so weak that she could no longer walk.
The dog was taken to the vet for treatment, but had to be put down on Friday, Nicolle said.
She added that if the incident is proved to be a deliberate poisoning attempt, it will be treated seriously by police.
"I'm not sure what would go through someone's head that they would want to do this, but we treat it as a criminal offence of animal cruelty," she said.
Toronto Const. Allyson Douglas-Cook said the second incident took place on Friday afternoon.
The dog in this instance picked up a green, stick-like treat that the owner removed from his mouth.
The dog also grew very sick later in the day, but has since made a full recovery, Douglas-Cook said.
The owner returned to the area where the treat was found and discovered several more of the objects lying in the area.
Douglas-Cook said police are fairly confident the treats were deliberately poisoned.
"We believe that it is. There was a strong smell that has been described . . . like it was basically soaked in bleach," she said. "But we don't want to say for sure until we have an analysis of it."
Both forces are urging the public to keep an eye on their pets and come forward if they have any information.
