Reward offered for info on Tucson wildlife poisoning that left 58 animals dead
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering a reward for information that leads to the arrest of a person, or persons, poisoning wildlife in Tucson.
Poison was discovered in late January after officers found several dead coyotes, javelinas and dogs near Pantano Wash. To date, the Game and Fish Department said officials have found almost 60 dead animals, including 51 coyotes, 4 javelinas and 3 domestic dogs, mostly between Houghton and Old Spanish Trail in Tucson.
Based on an analysis of a dead javelina in February, investigators believed a person placed poison in a food item that would attract animals. As of mid-February, no other poison was placed out.
What is strychnine? Common pesticide suspected in poisoning of over 30 coyotes
Though the poison was yet to be confirmed, Dr. Anne Justice-Allen, the department's wildlife veterinarian, suspected it could be strychnine or another fast-acting poison.
Officials are offering up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Individuals with information about the case are urged to call Arizona Game and Fish Department's Operation Game Thief Hotline at 800-352-0700, anonymously if need be, and reference case OGT#25-000176.
The intentional poisoning of wildlife is rare, not to mention illegal in Arizona, and this circumstance is out of the norm, said Michael Colaianni, the spokesperson for the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
Department officials urged dog owners who hike in the area to keep their pets on a leash and not let them pick up anything from the trail or wash.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tucson wildlife poisonings: Officials offer reward for info
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