More than 30 animals in Tucson have died in what appears to be intentional poisoning. Arizona Game and Fish reported the deaths of three pet dogs and at least 35 wild animals near Pantano Wash.
Wildlife manager Tarah Clark said the animals appeared with no external injuries, but with rodent poison in their stomachs.
“They collected those animals and looked at the stomach contents and found an unusual substance within the contents like a blue green, what appeared to be a rat, a rodent poison,” said Clark.
The animals have been found over the past two weeks on different days within the same two mile radius, south of Escalante and east of Houghton near Sagauro National Park.
“An officer went out and found three dead javelina and one dead coyote. From their training they could recognize that they saw no external injuries to the animals,” said Clark.
Michael Colaianni of Game and Fish says a total of 32 dead coyotes, 3 javelina, 3 dogs and a raven are believed to be linked to the case.
Clark says they are looking for any piles of bait or food being left out in the geographical area where all of the animals are being found.
It is lawful to put small amounts of rodent poison out. Clark says getting rid of nuisance animals that are causing problems is justified. However, poisoning animals on public land could result in charges or arrest.
If a pet eats something in the area, signs of poisoning vary but may include sudden collapse, seizing and vomiting.
Anyone in the area who encounters a dead animal or acting strange can contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department at 1-800-352-0700.
