Barking Dog Poisoned by Smugglers

Hold Their Feet to the Fire ^ | 11/29/2005 | Jimbaugh

[Jimbaugh]

Barking Dog Poisoned by Smugglers

Boulevard, CA -

Barking dogs are a common sound in rural areas. They mostly bark at other animals. However, in places near the US/Mexico border, they bark at the passing groups of people who enter the country illegally on foot. These barking dogs are sometimes the first clue the US Border Patrol has that a group has crossed the border. Numerous citizen's reports are made every week based on these highly aware, loyal pets. Because of this, some professional smugglers have injured and even killed alert dogs to prevent them from sounding the alarm.

Such a case may have happened recently in Boulevard, a small community in San Diego's east county. Just before dark on Veterans Day, Jeff McKernin went out to feed his dogs as he does every night. He saw right away that something was wrong. His small terrier mixed dog was not its usual active self. "She was moving slowly and having trouble walking, as if intoxicated." Jeff told me in an interview this week. After making a few phone calls Jeff and his wife took the sick dog to the Animal Medical Center in El Cajon. After an examination by the veterinarian on duty, Dr. Walker, it was determined that the dog may have been poisoned. The dog was treated for poisoning from ingestion of antifreeze, an automotive product used as a coolant in radiators.

Regular antifreeze is mostly comprised of ethylene glycol, which is extremely toxic if consumed by humans or animals. According to the Columbia Animal Hospital's website ( www.cah.com) more than 10,000 animals fall victim to antifreeze poisoning every year. It only takes two ounces to cause a fatality in a medium sized dog. Once ingested, the ethylene glycol moves into the kidneys. The kidneys are not able to process this compound and it remains there in a crystalline form where it causes kidney failure and death. Dogs that are kept in close proximity to cars with leaking radiators are at high risk of antifreeze poisoning. A quick look around the McKernin's home and yard turned up no evidence of spilled fluids or leaking vehicles.

I found several piles of discarded clothing, water bottles, and assorted trash within 100 feet of their fenced yard. There is even a well used foot trail running along the outside of one of their fences. The McKernins have already spent over $900.00 on veterinary bills for their dog. A supervisory agent with the US Border Patrol recently told the McKernins that other dogs in the community had been poisoned, stabbed, and slashed with razors. I spoke with another agent several months ago about this subject. He stated that he had found a discarded sports drink bottle that contained antifreeze, which has a distinctive odor.

He said that smugglers will sometimes make incursions prior to bringing a group to checking and clearing the trails of hazards, like barking dogs. I will continue to report on these stories as they arise.

Authors Name Withheld for Security Reasons

[SC33]

Thank you President Bush and our wonderful Congress!

So much for conservative leadership.

[RockinRight]

OK, well that's a start. How about a great Dane every 10 feet trained to bite-to-kill anyone that crosses? Might think twice about trying to kill one.

[Jimbaugh]

I think that pitbulls would be a better call.