INDIGNATION GROWS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 94, 14 February 1947, Page 5

INDIGNATION GROWS

POISONING OF PETS DOGS TRAILING THE CULPRIT Popular indignation at the poisoning of a number of dogs in Kopeopeo has assumed major proportions and with the active interest of the local Roa and Gun Club, efforts are now being made to build up the reward for information leading to the conviction of the person responsible to three figures.

Sportsmen and dog-lovers through-, out the district are determined to corner the culprit if humanly possible and to sheet home • the full penalty of his desserts. In order to do this the Rod and Gun Club invites ‘all interested to contribute towards the common fund which will be built up to a substantial figure in order to stimulate wider interest and intensive investigation. Donations in this respect may be made direct to the president, Mr J. D. Rivett, or to the secretary, Mr Jones.

As in the past, as soon as publicity is given to the poisonings, the poisoning ceases and the person responsible hides low until the storm has passed and it becomes safe to repeat the dastardly act again and get off Scot free. Further details of the method employed have come to hand. The raw meat was cut into small strips and strychnine rubbed into the flesh. In one case analysis showed sufficient strychnine to kill six men let albne the unfortunate Cocker Spaniel which swallowed it and died in four minutes.

The police are actively engaged in the task of investigation and have perused,the quantities of strychnine supplied by the local chemists over the past six months. We understand that while it is not permissible to purchase strychnine for ordinary purposes without a permit, this deadly poison is supplied without any questions asked when applied for the destruction of rabbits. This aspect-alone makes it almost hopeless to trace any one purchaser and the Rod and Gun Club intends bringing pressure to bear upon the authorities to tighten up the control in this respect