Ajijic Town Administrator Chuni Medeles has been named as the key person for channeling information regarding the recent rash of canine deaths due to poisoning.
Meanwhile, the reward offered for finding the unknown suspect responsible for spreading poisoned meat around the village has been jacked up to 15,000 pesos.
A second meeting between concerned residents and local government officials was held Wednesday, October 26 at the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) to discuss viable and methodical approaches for confronting the problem.
Anecdotal accounts suggest that more than 20 street dogs and beloved pets have died from poison since late August. Three foreigners and one Mexican resident filed formal complaints with the Ministerio Público (district attorney) official on duty at LCS this Wednesday. However, the precise number of fatalities and the fast-acting lethal substance employed has not been documented to date.
Chapala Secretary General Miguel Angel Mendoza stressed the importance of facilitating communications between all parties, stating, “We must be careful to avoid speculation and alarming rumors spread among friends, neighbors and domestic employees.”
Medeles has therefore been designated to handle first-hand reports of past and future incidents to compile accurate data on all verified cases. He may be contacted at the Delegación office opposite the plaza, telephone 766-1760, or 33-1064-0814 (cell).
Medeles will also notify police when required for immediate response to new animal poisonings. Corpses should be left untouched until officers arrive to cordon the crime season.
City Hall officials promised to alert local hardware stores and other business that sell poisonous products and seek leads they may provide to nab the culprit.