50 Animals die in Tenessee poisoning ?

According to federal officials, more than 50 animals in Monroe County have died, apparently from exposure to the banned pesticide Carbofuan, also known as Furadan.


Last updated: 3/30/2006 11:48:22 PM

"Local, state and federal authorities have begun a criminal investigation into the poisonings.

The areas where the contaminated, dead animals were located include the 400 to 600 block of County Farm Road, the 200 to 300 block of Maxwell Road, and Southgate Road in the Lacey Acres Subdivision.

State officials have collected all the animal carcasses and are conducting studies of water and aquatic life in Chestua Creek.

Sandra Hughes lives in Madisonville. Her dog, Nugget, died just a week ago. She says, "A lot of people think it's just an animal, but she was more than that to us. I have a real hard time. I have a real hard time. Like I said, she was our favorite pet. She was one of our family and we miss her."

Joe Pike, a wildlife officer for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says, "In this area right here we found four possums and one gray fox, a bluebird and a house cat found dead in this general vicinity."

Wildlife officers say this was no accident. They say the animals were poisoned with pesticide.

Pike says, "This material was pulled right out of the jug and injected into or poured onto meat scraps which were scattered around for animals to pick up and eat."

"She was foaming at the mouth, she was weaving, she was not alert she just wouldn't come to us. I just picked her up and ran to the van with her," Hughes says.

At first, she thought Nugget may have anti-freeze in her system. "We were scared. I was crying. The kids were crying."

But when she found out her dog's death was intentional her sadness turned to fear. Hughes says, "It was just not pets that could have been hurt, but humans. My kids play in these fields. There's many kids around here. That was a stupid act."

And now she says she wants officers to catch the suspects. "He took one of our family members and that was low and I hope you pay. Whoever you are I hope you pay."

Wildlife officers say that because migratory birds were killed, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now involved with investigation.

They also say they do have suspects in this case.

Residents should not touch or handle any animal carcass. If anyone touches a carcass, that person's exposed skin should be thoroughly washed with soap and water and clothing should be laundered. Seek medical attention immediately if any signs of headache, nausea, dizziness or other symptoms are experienced.

Call the TWRA with any information at 1-800-831-1174.


http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=33129&provider=top


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furadan
    

Well, if they have suspects in this case, they may have evidence (an empty container) to back what they are stating.  Maybe one of the suspects told how they were contaminating the animals (putting the chemical on the meat).

The confusing part of the story is that I am not sure if bluebirds in Tennessee are considered migratory or not  - and they certainly would not be eating meat.  Depending on the type of migratory birds (ducks, geese, or other birds not specifically mentioned in the article), they would not eat contaminated meat either.  It is strange...........

Monroe County is a rual area in East Tn. The targeted animals were likely coyotes or feral hogs.

Monroe county is not far from me, they probably had someone do this to poison dogs. It happens, dogs get thrown out by useless people that won't take care of them, the dogs get in packs, kill cattle, and other livestock. Someone finally has enough and poisons them.

Not a good way to handle the problem, but if you shoot a dog now, you are viewed by the courts as worse than a drug dealer.

Tough, if a pack of dogs attack our livestock, I'll be bound to the grand jury, cause I would shoot them. And it aint cause I don't love dogs either, my mutts live better than I do. They have regular vet visits, shots, correct foods.

After dogs attack animals, kids are next on the list, I have seen it happen.