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Reward Offered In Dog Poisoning Cases

DENVER (CBS4)- Police in Denver hope someone will come forward with information about a series of dog poisonings.

Some dogs residing in the neighborhood near York and Yale by the University of Denver have become ill after eating poisonous meatballs left in yards.

"Vomiting and having diarrhea and he couldn't walk, he couldn't even stand, he was disoriented and shaking," said a woman who believes her dog was poisoned after eating something in the yard. "I was terrified. I had no idea what was wrong with him."

After ruling out something like rat poison, the neighbors soon began to find what looked like food and mysterious wrappers in their yards.

"First we thought it was a meatball with d-CON which was really freaky and that was ruled out," said Shadow's owner. "Now that the snow has melted we've been finding marijuana wrappers, we think that's probably what drugged her."

The neighbors worry that someone may have been lurking in the alleyway behind their homes, targeting their family pets.

"I'm afraid to let my kids go out and play. I don't let the dog outside," said the woman.

The Dumb Friends League and Crime Stoppers have teamed up to offer a $3,000 reward to capture the dog poisoning culprit.

"Without an eye witness or admission or confession sometimes they never come to fruition, we're never able to find the offender," said Dumb Friends League spokesman Keith Davis.

"If anyone has any information on this case, please make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers today," said Duane Adams, vice president for field services at the Dumb Friends League. "We want to stop this person from poisoning any more pets in our community."

Tips can be reported anonymously via phone or text to Crime Stoppers: (720) 913-STOP (7867) or text 274637 (CRIMES), then title DMCS and enter the message.

The messages are received at Crime Stoppers through a secure online system that protects a caller's identity. Crime Stoppers then routes the message to the appropriate agency for action.

Crime Stoppers and several area animal welfare groups launched a state-wide anonymous tip and reward program in July to make it easier for people anywhere in Colorado to report inhumane activities involving dogs, cats or horses.

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