Authorities are warning Stagecoach residents to keep a tight leash on their dogs to save them from a poisoner still on the loose.
"Due to a rash of dog poisonings, we're asking everybody to be on alert," said Dan Rodgers, Lyon County Animal Services supervisor. "Do not let your dogs run loose."
Five poisonings have been reported during the past two weeks, and Rodgers suspects more have been killed but not reported because the owners assumed the deaths were natural.
Rodgers said owners should watch for balls of hamburger with green grain-like pellets rolled in. The poisoned grain is traditionally used to kill ground squirrels and other rodents.
"It's a strychnine bait," he explained. "It's a very deadly poison."
Rodgers said the poisoner probably had a vendetta against certain dog owners but accidentally killed other dogs.
"It's disgusting," he said. "It's utter stupidity on someone's part to punish an animal. It's criminal."
Authorities are asking for owners' help to catch the poisoner. Anyone with information about the dog poisonings or who have received threats should call Lyon County Animal Services at 577-5005 or the Lyon County Sheriff's Department 577-5020.
"We have a couple of leads," he said. "We're doing a lot of investigation with the sheriff's department."
YOU CAN HELP
Anyone with information about the dog poisonings or who have received threats call Lyon County Animal Services at 577-5005 or the Lyon County Sheriff's Department 577-5020.