Ajijic animal lovers are up in arms over a rash of intentional dog poisonings reported over the past month.
Concerned expats are pooling resources to offer a 10,000-peso reward for the identification and capture of the cruel perpetrator.
Although an exact count of canine victims has not been determined to date, the number is calculated to exceed 15.
The first incidents were reported in late September in upper Ajijic near the entrance to the Tepalo waterfall hiking trail. A homeless man detained by police as a possible suspect was eventually released on the assumption that he lacked the means to buy the hot dogs used as a vehicle for the poison.
Public awareness of the problem increased following at least five other incidents reported more recently at different points along the waterfront and on streets as far west as Seis Esquinas. In all cases the dogs fell into convulsions and died within minutes after apparently consuming raw chicken doused with a pink powder believed to be strychnine or some other potent venom.
The reward offer was announced at an open meeting called on Wednesday, October 19 at the Malecón outdoor forum to discuss approaches to community action on the issue.
Alfredo Gutierrez, assistant director of Chapala’s Ecology office, and Ajijic administrator Chuni Medeles attended on behalf of the local government. They emphasized the importance of reporting all pet poisonings to local authorities.
“We are very concerned about this unfortunate situation, but don’t have the capacity to investigate and solve these crimes,” a sympathetic Gutierrez declared.
He advised all affected parties to file a formal complaint at the Ministerio Público (District Attorney’s Office), recently relocated to Avenida González Gallo 17, opposite Chapala’s Cristiania Park. This is vital to bringing the culprit up on criminal charges should he or she be caught. Conserving the remains of poisoned animals for autopsy to determine the cause of death is also recommended.
Pet owners may also report new cases to Chapala police at 765-444, as well as keeping Medeles and the Ecology staff up to speed.
For the time being dog owners are advised to exercise extreme precaution while taking their dogs out for walks, always keeping them on a short leash.
Residents who detect any suspicious substances left on sidewalks or elsewhere in the village can help by immediately calling police to investigate, or photographing and collecting potential evidence. Homeowners who have security cameras that track street activity are asked to review videos to look for images that may show the dog killer dropping lethal tidbits.
Contact Lina Doyle at 33-1350-4122 (cell) to request further information or make a pledge to the reward fund.