Dog poisonings worry parents, pet owners in Whitehorse

Residents in a Whitehorse neighbourhood say they're worried about the safety of their children as well as their pets after hearingconfirmation that a third dog in the area was poisoned.

Toxicology results this week showed that Trigger, a German shepherd-husky cross, became ill from ingesting strychnine, a common component of rat poison.Two other dogs in the area died weeks before, also after ingesting strychnine.

"It's a big concern," says resident and dog owner Dustin Doerntlein.

He's been keeping his dog inside, or on his deck.Doerntleinsays he's worried"for the dog, but more so for the children. I've got two kids running around the yard here."

Police have launched a criminal investigation, but have not confirmed whetherTrigger's poisoning is connected to the two dogs thatdied.

Trigger's owner, RoreighEftoda, says the issue has broughtneighbours together. People in Porter Creek are watching out for one another,she says.

"There is a sense of uneasiness," Eftodasays. "People don't feel safe in their own backyards.

"My concern is that people don't know what to do when their pet is poisoned. You need to take fast action. They need to get to the vet as soon as possible to detoxify."

RCMP says they're also investigating some meat scraps found on several neighbourhood yards late last week. Samples have been sent for toxicology analysis.