Dog poisoning is suspected

SANDPOINT — A Sandpoint woman is urging residents to keep an eye on their pets after her dog was apparently poisoned last week.

Dawn Billman’s 3-year-old Pomeranian died in her lap on Tuesday and her veterinarian suspects it was poisoned.

Billman said Faith began showing symptoms of illness last Friday and by Saturday she could hardly walk. Faith vacillated between appearing healthy and sick over the weekend.

Faith was seen by a vet on Tuesday, treated for dehydration and given antibiotics.

“We had her home maybe two hours and she started seizing,” said Billman.

The dog was rushed back to the vet, but died before help could be reached.

Billman, who lives across the street from Farmin Stidwell Elementary School, said Faith spent most of her time indoors and would be outside for only short stretches and often with her human companions.

“I don’t see why my dog would be targeted,” said Billman.

Billman said she opted against a necropsy, but her vet advised that Faith’s liver enzymes were 10 times the normal level.

Police Chief Mark Lockwood said he’s still awaiting the report, but he’s not aware of other dogs being poisoned in the city.

Two dogs were fatally poisoned by strychnine on South Euclid Avenue in 2009.

Last July, one dog was killed and two others were sickened when they consumed homemade sausage that was placed on a hiking trail in the Lightning Creek drainage north of Clark Fork. Those familiar with that case suspect the carbaryl-laced sausage was placed on the trail in an attempt to kill carnivorous wildlife such as wolves.