Letter to the Editor: Dogs Poisoned by Tainted Meat

Hello, Lauren….

I live in Encino in a lovely little neighborhood north of Ventura Blvd.

Friday, July 22, I went with my neighbor to the offices of the West Valley LAPD to file a report because someone in our Encino neighborhood has been entering properties and tossing beef mixed with rat poison over fences into yards. 

My 10-pound Yorkshire Terrier was poisoned and nearly died. Blood transfusions, an extended emergency hospital stay and many medications saved her life. A boxer across the street died a week after my dog was poisoned. A Rottweiler on my block was poisoned and his life was saved by Encino Veterinary Clinic. The Rottweiler’s owner found evidence of the poisoned meat wrapped in Saran wrap in her yard, which we took to the LAPD. 

Although I did not find evidence, an ultrasound exam and barium X-ray showed that there was an unidentifiable substance in my dog’s upper intestine, which I now believe may have been the Saran wrap in which the poisoned meat was contained.

Our concern is not only for the animals, but for the small children who live in this neighborhood who would have the same access to the poison. The families of the boxer and the Rottweiler both have children who play in their yards where the poison was thrown.

We spoke with Officer Sebring at West Valley LAPD who refused to write a report, and told us to call the Animal Cruelty Task Force. I informed him that this Task Force has been disbanded due to budget cuts. He then told me to go to the shelter and report the poisonings to Animal Control.

When we explained that this is a crime being committed against humans as well as animals, he told me that because it was only animals that were injured, the LAPD would absolutely not get involved. He told me to let him know if a child had been poisoned and then they would respond. Really?

I asked him to simply write a report saying that we were in his station to make a complaint about the serial poisoning occurring in my neighborhood and he refused.

I asked him to write a report about someone trespassing on property—he told me that it’s not trespassing unless I have a sign at the front of my home that says “no trespassing.” Really?

I asked to speak to the Senior Lead Officer named [Rob] Trulik, and was told that he was too busy and would not come out to speak with us, but recommended that we go to the nearest shelter.

We went to the East Valley Animal Shelter and spoke with Lt. Troy Boswell, who was sympathetic but said there was nothing he could do because we have not witnessed the person committing the poisoning and do not know who is doing this.

I asked him to at least write a report so that we have a record of reporting this crime, and he declined to do so immediately because he had more urgent matters that needed his attention, but said that he would email me a report later in the day. [Boswell did send the report.]

My conclusion is that the LAPD is absolutely unconcerned with animal matters and will not respond to any emergency situation that involves animals, even if a coincidental danger to humans exists. They defer to Los Angeles Animal Services, and LAAS does nothing.

After visiting the West Valley LAPD station and East Valley Animal Shelter, we went to the office of Councilman Paul Koretz to make him aware of this situation. 

We spoke with his field deputy, Wesly Hernandez, who took extensive notes and said they would get back with us. He told us that their office has an ongoing relationship with Officer Trulik. Still waiting to see if they are going to take action of any kind.

We need to publicize the situation so that people in the area are aware. I have few email addresses of neighbors. I don’t even know many of them. This was the first time I had met the neighbor whose Rottweiler ate the poison. She came to my home because she had heard that my dog had previously been poisoned. She said she is going to create fliers and distribute them in the area.

Thank you for any help you can offer in getting the word out regarding this situation.

Sincerely,

Concerned Neighbor on the 5100 block of Gaynor Ave.