San Francisco police are testing four meatballs found on a sidewalk in the city’s Richmond District Sunday night to see if they are poisonous.

The meatballs were discovered at about 5:45 p.m. Sunday near 855 La Playa St., according to police.

Police were alerted to their presence after 21 potentially poisonous meatballs were found hidden in bushes and shrubs in San Francisco’s Twin Peaks neighborhood over the weekend that may have been placed there with the intent to harm or kill pets.

Sgt. Danielle Newman said police are investigating all of the meatball discoveries as one case.

The meatballs found this weekend were similar to hundreds found last July and pet owners are being advised to stay alert when taking pets outdoors, police said.

“We don’t want anybody to get sick,” Newman said.

One of the dogs that ate the meatballs in July, a dachshund named Oskar, died as a result, San Francisco Animal Care and Control officials said.

San Francisco police are asking the public for assistance in the case. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the SFPD’s anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444.

Laura Dudnick, Bay City News