Deliberate poisoning suspected in deaths of dogs, wild animals on Tucson’s east side

Over the weekend, officers from the Arizona Game and Fish Department recovered the remains of 14 coyotes, three javelinas and one raven within the same two-mile radius of the wash between Houghton Road and Old Spanish Trail.

Three pet owners in the area reported that their dogs also became sick or died after apparently ingesting an unknown substance.

Department officials said one pet owner lost two dogs — one that went missing and turned up dead and another that had to be euthanized.

A second pet owner also had one of his dogs die, and a third pet owner reported having to take his dog to the veterinarian to be treated for apparent poisoning.

Wildlife officials believe the incidents are the result of someone intentionally trying to kill wild animals in the area.

Game Ranger Tarah Clark said coyotes appear to be the intended target of the powerful toxin.

“To me, whoever is doing this has a clear disregard for life,” she said. “There are so many better ways (than poison) to address wildlife conflicts.”

Clark found another dead coyote in the wash on Tuesday, bringing the total so far to 15. Based on the condition of the animal, she suspects it died sometime the night before.

Though rat poisons are readily available for purchase, it is illegal to use them to kill anything besides rodents, Clark said. The person or people responsible for these animal deaths could face multiple misdemeanor charges from the state.

She said it will be up to Pima County authorities to decide whether the deaths of the domestic dogs warrant additional charges, possibly for animal cruelty or other crimes.

Wildlife officials began their investigation last week, after a resident of the area reported finding a coyote and three javelinas dead with no obvious signs of trauma.

Clark said all of the wild animal carcasses found so far have been fresh. The javelinas died close together as might be expected of herd animals.

An examination of one of the dead javelinas suggests the poison was put inside some sort of food, though investigators have yet to find the bait or identify exactly where it was placed.

“I suspect the poison is either strychnine or another fast-acting poison, based on the appearance of the stomach contents,” said Dr. Anne Justice-Allen, the department’s wildlife veterinarian.

Samples from the dead animals are being sent to a laboratory for testing, but whatever is being used is potent.

Clark said some of the coyotes looked like they died suddenly, as if “they were moving and just dropped.” As she examined some of the carcasses in the field, she noticed some of the flies that had gathered were also dying after coming into contact with the dead animals’ saliva.

Wildlife officials said the stretch of the wash where the carcasses were found is a popular spot for residents to hike with their dogs.

Pet owners are advised to keep their dogs on a leash and away from anything the animals might want to pick up on the trail or in the wash.

If a pet eats something off of the ground in that area, owners should seek immediate veterinary care as the suspected toxin acts quickly. Signs of poisoning include salivation, seizures and sudden collapse.

Anyone who finds dead animals or wildlife acting abnormally is asked to call the department’s Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-352-0700.

Clark said game officials would come out immediately to collect any more dead animals that are reported in that area. “We’re assuming they are toxic,” she said.