Poison bait kills another Moran dog
Yet another dog died Monday after eating poison, likely put out to kill wolves, at the Moosehead Ranch in Moran where two moose also died mysteriously, according to one biologist.
The latest dog death brings the number of pets killed by poison to seven while another 13 dogs have been sickened in both Idaho and Wyoming. So far, investigators have reported no dead wolves.
But authorities have found dead coyotes, foxes and magpies near meat baits laced with a highly toxic pesticide. Moreover, one biologist suggested the suspicious death of two moose in Buffalo Valley may be connected.
Wildlife Conservation Society biologist Joel Berger said researchers ruled out nearly every other possible cause when the moose were found in February.
But since the moose were discovered before the wolf poisoning plot came to light, the carcasses were never tested for poison, he said Friday. ýPoison wasnýt on our radar when we investigated this.ý
Wildlife officials investigated the carcasses thoroughly, conducted bone marrow tests and used metal detectors to look for bullets, he said. Biologists also had taken blood samples before the animals died as part of an ongoing research project.
The blood tests indicated the moose were healthy and had no diseases, he said. Officials also ruled out poaching, predators, starvation and collision with a vehicle.
Researchers did find a dead raven and magpie near the carcass. Scavengers can be poisoned indirectly by eating the carcass of an animal that consumed poison. The two moose spent time near the Buffalo Valley Road where poison baits were found, he said.
Although ungulates typically eat vegetation, scientists have documented elk and deer eating meat, he said.
In addition to the dog that died Monday at Moosehead Ranch, two more were sickened recently in the same area.
On April 25, Moran Fire Chief Paul Cote was walking his border collie, Roxy, along the Buffalo Valley Road north of the Diamond D Guest Ranch, when she consumed poison, according to the Teton County Sheriffýs Office.
Cote told officers that he was watching Roxy closely because of previous poisonings reported in the area. After he returned home, Roxy began having trouble walking and vomited.
Cote examined the vomit and saw a piece of hot dog that looked like the center had been removed, the sheriffýs office reported. Cote also noticed black spots on the hot dog and in the vomit.
Stomach contents from Coteýs dog and another sick dog near Triangle X Ranch have been sent to the lab for testing.
Authorities have found hot dogs cored and filled with a pesticide commonly known as Temik, which looks like black table salt, during previous investigations.
Baiting meat with Temik is recommended as a way to kill wolves on a Web site maintained by an Idaho man. The manýs home was searched by authorities in March in connection with similar poisonings on the Salmon Challis National Forest. A federal investigator and outspoken wolf foe have said the baits were put out to kill wolves.
Cote rushed Roxy to the Animal Care Clinic where she was treated with Atropine and charcoal to counteract the poison. She is expected to recover.
Two more dogs also were sickened recently on the Greys River Road on the Bridger-Teton National Forest, according to federal investigators. Those dogs were rushed to a veterinarian for treatment. Suspected baits have been sent to a federal lab for testing.
Authorities have warned the public not to touch suspicious-looking food items because the poison is highly toxic to people as well.