Animal Control investigating sudden dog death

Sioux Falls Animal Control is investigating the sudden death of a dog on Tuesday.

Ziggy died at his home in the 1700 block of West 39th Street, his owner Megan Struwe said. Ziggy's brother, Turbo, is being treated by a veterinarian after quickly falling ill around the same time.

Struwe said the death and illness occurred after the dogs ate bologna she believes was laced with rat poison. She reported the incident to the Sioux Falls Police Department and Animal Control.

The incident is still being investigated and the cause of Ziggy's death has not been determined, Animal Control supervisor Julie DeJong said.

"We are still running some samples ... to see if it was a poisoning," she said.

No other reports of animal poisonings have been made, police spokesman Sam Clemens said.

Turbo is expected to make a full recovery, according to Struwe. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Struwe and Turbo's other owner, Derek Rondeau, deal with the costs of his veterinary care. Nearly $700 had been raised by Wednesday evening.

It is uncertain how soon investigators will be able to determine a cause of death, DeJong said. Ziggy's body may have to be autopsied and samples sent outside of South Dakota before a diagnosis can be made, she said.

"It's an open-ended case," DeJong said.