Poisoned meatballs again threaten dogs in San Francisco

San Francisco -- A San Francisco animal control officer Saturday found 35 meatballs suspected to be poisoned and deadly to dogs and cats scattered through a Twin Peaks neighborhood where a similar incident occurred last year.

After a resident called Animal Care and Control Friday to report finding fragments of suspicious meatballs, the department sent an officer to scour the area near Crestline Drive and Parkridge Drive Saturday.

Acting Lt. Denise BonGiovannifound 34 balls of raw meat studded with pieces of something solid, and a resident gave her another she said she had snatched from her dog before the pet could eat it.

The meatballs were placed in carports, behind stairwells, along curbs and in hedges and bushes - places they're more likely to be sniffed out by dogs than spotted by humans.

"These were incredibly well-hidden," BonGiovanni said.

The meatballs have been turned over to the San Francisco Police Department, which will analyze them to determine if they are poisonous.

"There's a high probability," said BonGiovanni. "They look very similar to the ones found last year."

Last July, a 7-year-old dachshund died and another dog was seriously sickened after eating meatballs the police believe were filled with strychnine. Police never located the person responsible for the deadly meatballs.

Animal Care and Control officials have posted more than 50 warning signs in the neighborhood. They're also advising people in the area to keep their pets inside, and when walking dogs to keep them on a short leash and away from shrubbery.

"If your dog picks up anything and starts to eat it, I wouldn't waste time, I would take it to a vet," BonGiovanni said. "We haven't confirmed it's poison but it's not worth taking chances."

San Francisco police are asking the public for any information that could help the investigation. They should call the department's anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444.