Phoenix police looking into numerous cases of dogs getting sick, dying
May 27, 2016, 3:49 PM | Updated: May 29, 2016, 10:16 am
(Flickr Photo/@AICAD)
PHOENIX — Police are investigating a strange series of events that have left dogs sick or dead in the northwestern part of Phoenix.
“This is absolutely shocking,” Phoenix police officer James Holmes said.
Holmes said the department is looking into several cases of dogs that have become sick or died in the area near Indian School and 85th Avenue since May 5.
“When you are losing pets in this magnitude in a certain area of the city, certainly we have reason to believe that this is intentional animal cruelty,” he said. “It may turn out to be something else, but we’re doubtful about that.”
Holmes said the investigation really took hold after a woman called police Thursday and told them that she came home from work to find eight of her 12 dogs dead and the other four very sick.
“She took them immediately for treatment after she called police,” Holmes said, adding that two more of the woman’s dogs died later.
In another instance, one animal was injured by an icepick or similar device.
Holmes said dog owners in the area should take extra care with their animals until they catch the person or people responsible.
“If you live in that area and you have doggy doors that allow your pets to go out and take care of their business or what have you, please reconsider that,” he said.
Anyone with information on these crimes is asked to contact Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.
KTAR’s Kaely Monahan contributed to this report.