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Post by gardendmpls on Jul 24, 2022 18:37:03 GMT -5
Neighbor rang my bell. My cat Shomer was in front of the house dead. She was fine this afternoon and now looked like she had thrown up and was in rigor. Neighbor told me that another neighbor found two cats poisoned in his yard and others were reporting the same. He had also had two of his dogs die this past week and he was furious. This wasn't the heat. My cats can and do come in through a basement window anytime they want, and Shomer had come in yesterday to spend the day on the couch next to me where the fan was redirecting air from the ac. Called 311 as directed after an online search and the first operator was useless. Did I want Sanitation or poison control? When she hung up she automatically said "have a wonderful day".
Talked to police and was called back by one of two officers in the precinct who deal with this. He was very nice, but said that the police aren't trained for this and the ASPCA investigates animal cruelty complaints for the city. Called back 311 and told them who they had to contact. They said it goes through the health department first and I should hear back within 14 days. Just hope one of the many neighborhood children doesn't get accidentally poisoned in the meanwhile.
Think if I get no response tomorrow morning will ask my vet to autopsy so at least we know what we are up against. The posture and early rigor makes me suspect strychnine, which is found in some illegal rat poisons. The lot across the way, where they are planning to build, was mowed and cleaned up recently and the people may have placed out poison illegally. The owner is someone I know, as he has a pet shop in the area. Will call him to see if poison was put out and if so, to get it removed.
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Post by emmsmommy on Jul 24, 2022 19:56:24 GMT -5
So sorry gardendmpls. I know you can't bring Shomer back but hoping you find the culprit and get the situation resolved. Sending hugs.
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Post by desertwoman on Jul 24, 2022 21:41:14 GMT -5
That is heartbreaking gardendmpls,. I hope you are able to trace the source and get it resolved so that there is an end to the poisonings in the neighborhood.
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Post by gardendmpls on Jul 24, 2022 22:08:50 GMT -5
I hope you are able to trace the source and get it resolved I will probably have to be the one to do this. The police have more serious crimes to take care of. If the ASPCA won't, I will pay for an autopsy to check for strychnine. Research done so far shows it is considered a toxic/hazardous waste in NYC and another avenue of action would be to report it as a "spill" which includes inappropriate use and disposal, such as leaving it around exposed where animals can get it.
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madamezil
Blooming
Zone 8 Vancouver BC Canada
Posts: 248
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Post by madamezil on Jul 25, 2022 7:49:45 GMT -5
So sorry to hear this! Hoping this is "normal" human stupidity and not a deliberate attempt to harm anyone or anything. I am confident you will get to the bottom of this.
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Post by gardendmpls on Jul 25, 2022 14:00:43 GMT -5
Found out a necropsy is around $1200 and to test for poison is $800., so someone else will need to do the investigating. Waiting to hear from the owner of the property.
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Post by binnylou on Jul 25, 2022 14:22:01 GMT -5
gardendmpls, perhaps a go fund me? I bet there’s lots of animal lovers who would contribute.
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Post by gardendmpls on Jul 25, 2022 14:28:35 GMT -5
I am having another biopsy this week and trying to get all kinds of care for my brother, so unfortunately I just don't have that kind of time right now. If the owner of the lot that many in the neighborhood think is the source of the problem doesn't get back to me, I will sic the city's hazardous waste department on him. Read where leaving illegal strychnine rat poison exposed is considered a toxic waste spill, Clean up and expensive fine involved.
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Post by breezygardener on Jul 25, 2022 17:17:25 GMT -5
How awful!!!! What with all the barns & rodents around here, this is just one reason why our cat is indoor-only.
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Post by martywny on Jul 25, 2022 19:10:48 GMT -5
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Post by emmsmommy on Jul 25, 2022 20:18:21 GMT -5
I never could understand trapping or poisoning domestic animals. Our male dog only has one toe on one of his front paws because he got caught in a steel trap protecting a marijuana patch on the neighboring property. He was only half-grown and we'd given up on finding him when he limped home about five days later. Our neighbor was walking in the woods and found him. Despite my best efforts and the help of a friend who was an apprentice vet, we just couldn't save the rest of his foot. He's always had a limp but otherwise it hasn't affected him other than he never again went into those woods.
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Post by SpringRain🕊️ on Jul 25, 2022 21:07:31 GMT -5
gardendmpls, I'm so sorry to learn of this tragedy, and criminal event if your suppositions are correct, which I think they are. Since there are now 3 deceased cats, potentially from poisoning, I wonder if you and the owners could get a reduced rate for testing, if the Humane Society doesn't do that. This is so offensive to me, to attack a helpless animal with such a toxin. If the ASPCA doesn't assist, what about a local or NY (I believe that's where you live) animal protection society? I believe they have authority to refer the matter for criminal prosecution if they have conclusive evidence of deliberate poisoning.
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Post by gardendmpls on Jul 25, 2022 23:01:11 GMT -5
If the ASPCA doesn't assist, what about a local or NY (I believe that's where you live) animal protection society? The ASPCA is contracted with by the city to investigate all animal cruelty cases for the police. Any place else would have to refer to them. That is why if it is poison, the environmental agency might be the way to go, as they have higher penalties. Still trying to contact the owner of the property. Got distracted today by the thunderstorm and then the great chicken escape. Got to be more careful with that latch, although it is the first time I recall it not catching. Could be the thunderstorm made the door frame temporarily warp a little.
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Post by gardendmpls on Jul 25, 2022 23:38:10 GMT -5
this is just one reason why our cat is indoor-only. My daughter's cats upstairs are indoor only, and they stay upstairs. Shomer was a feral who was a few years old when she first ventured into the house, and it took more years, until this winter, for her to venture onto my lap. From there she rapidly became my lap cat and would cuddle up on the sofa with me. I may need to get another door between the entranceway and the living room to keep my other cat, Charlie, from getting out. He was also a feral, but was an almost dead kitten when we took him in and spent a good amount to nurse him back to health. Shomer with my brother: Charlie when found almost dead on a sidewalk on a very hot day: Charlie in January:
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Post by Mumsey on Jul 26, 2022 4:13:36 GMT -5
gardendmpls, OMG that's horrible! I hope it's resolved soon and no more pets are lost.
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