beligerant neighbor and poisoning ..what to do

[standingbear]

my sister has a problem,a few months ago her neighbor that lives behind her,wandered over after she put her dog,a small terrier out and went upstairs to take a bath.she heard someone beating loudly on the door and went downstairs to see what was going on.the neighbor was standing in her doorway,verbally threatening her about her dog barking and became beligerant so she asked him to get off her property and leave.he refused and continued..my nephew pulls up in his car and trys to get the guy to leave who is by now really screaming at her about the dog.the guy tells him "what ya going to do..hit an ol man!" my nephew tells him he'll have him removed and call the police if this is what it takes,the man finally leaves.
fast forward 6 months...my sister lets the dog in and sees around the kids swingset,around the garden and around the border to her backyard neighbors property... white spots in the grass in her backyard...that evening her small dog became sick and began continuous vomiting..early in the morning..it was vomiting blood and an hour later it was dead.
she called the police who also had the Fire dept over to look at the strange spots.they told her that theres nothing that can be done about it and to wash it down with a hose.my sister is scared to let her daughter go in the backyard now because of the spots,I had my own photographs taken of the spots and got "my own" samples of the soil for testing before the evidence could dissappear.her dogs remains are also being tested for arsenic specifically and whatever other poisons present.this little dog had never left her backyard and it has us concerned that someone would wander over and throw this "stuff" into her yard...killing the dog
My question is this...whoever dumped this poison in her backyard and is willing to poison the dog,has also put it in areas where children play and around a garden.I believe this person who did this is a wackjob,theres no telling what he may do next,what would be my next step when the type of poison is identified.

 

[BryanP]

Clean the back yard. Set up a video camera to record a good view of the back yard. Rotate tapes (or go digital). Get another dog. If he does it again you'll have proof. Without proof you can't really do much more.

 

[JL2152]

I second BryanP's advice. It may also be a good idea to keep a written log of suspucious activity that occurs in areas outside of camera range.

 

[Powderman]

A-ffirmative on both advice posts above.

Whoever you catch in the act, should be charged with malicious mischief, reckless endangerment, and if your state has an animal cruelty statute, a good solid felony offense as well.

Some advice concerning your taping:

If possible, get a camera with a date and time stamp. If you do manage to catch something on tape, immediately secure the tape, call the police, and do not let the tape out of your sight--even for a second--until the police arrive.

If you can, once the police do arrive, it would help for you to have some provision to make a dubbed copy of the tape while playing it on a TV or monitor so that the responding officer can see the proceedings.

Moreover, do not let on to the offender that you are taping them. Some people can be driven to extreme violence if they suspect they are being caught in the act.

Also, consider civil remedies for whatever injuries you suffer.

Be careful, and hopefully you'll see whoever the perp is squirming on the witness stand.

 

[DigMe]

I'd say contact a lawyer about the possibility of having the police search the guy's house for the same substance. Either way....sue.

brad cook

 

[Super Trucker]

The X10 camera (you know the one with the annoying pop up ads) is a cheap way to go. for about $150.00 you can get a night vision, motion detecting camera, like stated earlier this would give the proof you need.

 

[standingbear]

thanks for the advise,my sis lives in an area of columbus,ohio.
we got the pics,and samples sent off to a state poison lab..they said it will take awhile for results.
in the meantime,my sister is considering putting up fliers that warn people that someone is poisoning animals in their own yards and her location.shes not putting her "prime suspects" name on the flier..just that someone is doing it.The epa may be getting involved should this turn out to be arsenic because it cant be simply washed away into the soil...especially in their garden.
my sis is learning how to saftely shoot and store a gun and is maybe going to add the cameras/motion detectors - worries he may try breaking in should something new disturb him,they know he has been watching her house from his backyard.he has given others grief so time will tell when the results are known.

 

[Smurfslayer]

NOTHING?

Double ewe tee eff?

Nothing they _WANT_ to do about it. I'm pretty sure all 50 states have animal cruelty statutes of some sort. Go over the responding sub standard oxygen thief masquerading as a cop to the duty sgt. or capt. and remind them that statistically, most serial killers start out with animals...

Seriously, _any_ charge you can get on record is better than nothing.

 

[SunBear]

Let's up the ante. If this was indeed an area where children play, I would go to the D.A. and tell him you believe HE WAS TRYING TO KILL THE CHILDREN. If that doesn't work, the next step could be the media (at least that's what you tell the DA). If this kook wants to play hardball, take it to him.

 

[benEzra]

my sis is learning how to saftely shoot and store a gun and is maybe going to add the cameras/motion detectors - worries he may try breaking in should something new disturb him,they know he has been watching her house from his backyard.he has given others grief so time will tell when the results are known.

My wife just looked over my shoulder and voiced the concern that the guy could have killed the dog because he wanted the "alarm dog" out of the way (i.e., stalking situation). Not sure if that's paranoid or not, and you know the situation better than we do, but her learning to shoot is a DARN good idea.

 

[patentnonsense]

Let's up the ante. If this was indeed an area where children play, I would go to the D.A. and tell him you believe HE WAS TRYING TO KILL THE CHILDREN. If that doesn't work, the next step could be the media (at least that's what you tell the DA). If this kook wants to play hardball, take it to him.

I like SunBear's comment. This guy is not just a dog killer, but he has put your niece in deadly danger - Don't hold back. If your sister got a sample of those white spots, it's not hard to test for poisons. You've also described a case which might justify a search warrant - worth a try - especially if you have lab analysis of a poison found in the yard, and if the neighbor uttered any specific threats. I myself doubt the value of a security camera, but it can't hurt.

 

[duckslayer]

There surely is a special place reserved in hell for the likes of people who do such things. If your suspicions are correct about the neighbor, I hope you get the evidence you need to stick it to him. And I am sorry about the pet.

 

[JimP]

Kill him, painfully. Just to be sure.

 

[carpettbaggerr]

Man, are you guys paranoid. Wackjob complains about annoying, noisy, barking dog. 6 months later dog eats something[?] and dies. Could have gotten a rat that ate poison. Could have gotten into some antifreeze. Could have had a perforated ulcer.

Test your samples, and get an autopsy. If something shows up, get a camera. But it's not a serial killer, and it's not somebody who wanted to poison the kids.

 

[standingbear]

theres more.......she has another dog..a ridgeback.it didnt get sick because it didnt get let out that evening and it doesnt explain the white spots in the grass.theres no rats in that area either and no rat poison was used on my sisters property by any of her family because they know that their children that use the back and know how dangerous it would be for their dogs as well.....both dogs had a collar and they used an "invisable fence",neither strayed outta their own yards.they hadnt added any different vegatation and the antifreeze was kept out of childrens reach..locked in the garage.so whatever happened was done intentional.
I dont call a beligerant mans refusal to leave when asked politly,making vocal threats to my sister and nephew,mysterious clumps of white junk dumped in the grass, then the smallest family pet turns up dead-being paranoid.
meanwhile theres a sudden interest to learn safe gun handling and storage in their home.an invite to go shooting some at the range.

a family friend is looking into it as a personel favor as well.

 

[CentralTexas]

since it's too late for the first dog

but there are kids and another pet at risk, Since the DA seldom will prosecute a animal case short of 100% proof and media attention why not have a private talk with the neighbor about "If he was responsible and IF it happens again" how the .357 barrel now in his mouth will be making a big boom if you have to come back?
CT

 

[standingbear]

no,cant have my nephew going over there onto his property...dont want to "instigate" that wacko into turning the tables and getting my family arrested for tresspassing or assault

you're absolutly correct.... The DA wont do anything...short of caution against retaliation.the word is out for caution for her other neighbors who walk their dogs to be cautious for someone poisoning animals- so maybe he will get the hint.the lab is testing the ground now for everything and my sis's family is keeping a close eye on the yard and house.

was kinda fun taking my nephew out shooting and explaining safe practices,home and personal protection.

 

[Silent-Snail]

theres no rats in that area either

Hate to tell you this, but rats and related rodents are acualy more common in the city people just dont see them.

A friend who cantr legaly own guns has come up with what I belive to be a novel solution after two break-ins. He uses a paintball marker (shoots 18 rounds per second) and practices going for the eyes.

 

[mountainclmbr]

I second the camera suggestion. Avoid threats, it may not have been him. If it was him, it could enrage him and cause him to become even more irrational. Don't stoop to their level.

 

[Shmackey]

why not have a private talk with the neighbor about "If he was responsible and IF it happens again" how the .357 barrel now in his mouth will be making a big boom if you have to come back?

Ayup.

 

[Zundfolge]

First thing that should have been done is an autopsy on the dog ... maybe the dog had a congenital heart defect ... maybe it got into some household cleaners in the house ... could be anything.

If the autopsy turns up poison then you proceed with the cameras and might consider a civil suit (rules of evidence in a civil suit aren't the same as criminal so you might be able to win easily).


Now if I was in that situation, as soon as we got back from the vet with our dead dog I'd have to call a lawyer because my wife would kill the SOB ... probably with her bare hands.

Avoid threats, it may not have been him. If it was him, it could enrage him and cause him to become even more irrational. Don't stoop to their level.

Or worse he would become super-rational, call the police and you'd be royally screwed and he'd look like the good guy.

 

[standingbear]

its known what killed the dog and it wasnt a physical defect,the specific type used isnt yet discovered.no-one saw the kook do it but being that he did make threats,still not enough to hold him legally responsable..... yet.

 

[BeLikeTrey]

Perhaps PETA could have a use after all?

Ever heard of useful idiots?

Find an animal activist group to do the leg work for you. Contact them with your information and tell them how you agree with their stances etc. give them info and test results and start taking pictures. Heck they may set something up for free for you to take the pictures. They may do all the work for you as well as media attention for this guy and inaction of local PD. Don't underestimate their usefulness. Just hold your nose when you call Use some Wacko's to catch THIS wacko neighbor.

-MY .02 $

 

[BeLikeTrey]

by the way

Good luck SB!
I also believe there is a special hotseat for this guy if indeed he did this.
Any help we can give....

 

[Gifted]

A friend who cantr legaly own guns has come up with what I belive to be a novel solution after two break-ins. He uses a paintball marker (shoots 18 rounds per second) and practices going for the eyes.

And would probably get sued for it. Stranger things have happened. I'd say that a victim of high velocity lead poisoning isn't likely to be in a position to sue.