THURSDAY 4/30/2020 6:37 a.m.

FOREST COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) – Two more domestic dog deaths in northern Wisconsin are being attributed to an ongoing investigation of a rash of fatal poisoning deaths, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Authorities say both dogs suddenly died on April 26 while with their owners on land open to the public in Forest County. These are the third and fourth deaths in April that are believed to be due to poisoning.

The DNR says all four dogs died while recreating on U.S. Forest Service land in the Town of Alvin in Forest County. Officials say the dogs passed away quickly after consuming substances placed on and along gravel roads just south of the Michigan border.

Authorities say they suspect all four deaths could be related to similar poisoning cases involving other pet dogs and wildlife in nearby counties. Lab results are pending on the dogs.

Officials from the DNR, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service is reminding the public that if you are walking outdoors with your pets, use dog leashes and watch for signs – like dead wildlife – that poison may be in the area.

Nine pet dogs have died in Forest, Marinette, and Florence counties. The DNR says that while the investigation is focused on the three counties, it is unknown if other counties could be involved. Investigators have also found dead raptors, coyotes, weasels, raccoons, and wolved. Lab tests have confirmed the presence of dangerous toxic substances as the cause of death in these wildlife cases and the domestic dogs.

If you have information or a tip – no matter how insignificant it may seem – please contact the WDNR Violation Hotline. You may confidentially report by calling or texting: 1-800-TIP-WDNR or 1-800-847-9367. You also may report online: https://dnrx.wisconsin.gov/rav/  The hotline is in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Trained staff relay information to conservation wardens.

Another domestic dog death reported in Forest Co., authorities suspect connection to poisoning investigation

FRIDAY 4/24/2020 6:50 a.m.

ALVIN, Wis. (WFRV) – Another pet dog has died in Northern Wisconsin and officials say it may be connected to an ongoing investigation into a rash of fatal poisoning deaths of other dogs and wildlife.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, a 4-year-old yellow Labrador was with its owner when it suddenly died on April 21 while on U.S. Forest Service land in the Town of Alvin.

In early April, a 3-year-old German Shepherd died in the same area while being walked on a leash.

Authorities say both dogs passed away quickly after consuming substances placed on and along gravel roads just south of the Michigan border. Lab results are pending, but authorities investigating the poisoning deaths suspect the deaths could be related to similar poisoning cases.

The DNR is advising the public to use dog leashes when walking their dogs and to watch for signs – such as dead wildlife – that poison may be in the area. Seven pet dogs have died in Forest, Marinette, and Florence counties.

Authorities say that while the investigation is focused on these three counties, it is unknown if other counties could be involved. Investigators have found dead raptors, coyotes, weasels, raccoons, and wolves. Lab tests have confirmed the presence of dangerous toxic substances as the cause of death in these wildlife cases and the domestic dogs.

The DNR, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service continue to investigate.

If you have information or a tip – no matter how insignificant it may seem – please contact the WDNR Violation Hotline. You may confidentially report by calling or texting: 1-800-TIP-WDNR or 1-800-847-9367. You also may report online: https://dnrx.wisconsin.gov/rav/.  The hotline is in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Trained staff relay information to conservation wardens.

DNR believes death of dog in Northern Wis. connected to wildlife poisoning investigation

WEDNESDAY 4/8/2020 11:37 a.m.

FOREST CO., Wis. (WFRV) – Authorities are again asking for the public’s help in solving a rash of fatal poisoning deaths of domestic dogs and wildlife in northern Wisconsin after another domestic dog died as a result of suspected poisoning.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, a 3-year-old German Shepherd was being walked on a leash on land open to the public in northern Forest County last week. On April 1, the dog died and authorities say they believe this death is connected to suspected poisoning deaths reported in March.

Confirmation lab tests are pending on the cause of the dog’s death. Authorities say the owners of the dog reported seeing a few dead ravens near the site.

The state DNR and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are advising the public to use dog leashes and watch for signs – like dead wildlife – when that poison may be in the area.

Several domestic dog deaths have occurred in Forest, Marinette and Florence counties. While the investigation is focused on the three counties, it is unknown if other counties could be involved. In addition to the unfortunate poisoning of these family pets, investigators also found dead raptors, coyotes, weasels, raccoons and wolves.  Lab tests have confirmed the presence of dangerous toxic substances as the cause of death in these wildlife cases as well as the domestic dogs.

If you have information or a tip – no matter how insignificant it may seem – please contact the WDNR Violation Hotline. You may confidentially report by calling or texting: 1-800-TIP-WDNR or 1-800-847-9367. You also may report online: https://dnrx.wisconsin.gov/rav/  The hotline is in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Trained staff relay information to conservation wardens.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife say domestic dogs die after ingesting poisoning, officials continue to investigate

MONDAY 3/9/2020 8:52 a.m.

NORTHERN WISCONSIN (WFRV) – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service continues to investigating numerous poisoning cases in Northern Wisconsin.

Authorities say several domestic dogs have died in Forest, Marinette, and Florence counties, including recent deaths of two hunting beagles in Forest County. At this time, officials say it is unknown if other counties are involved.

Investigators say they have found dead raptors, coyotes, weasels, raccoons, and wolves that have tested positive for the presence of dangerous toxic substances as the cause of death.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials report that the dogs became severely ill almost immediately after ingestion, with death following shortly after.

Investigators are now urging the public to be aware of where they are walking their dogs along roadways in these counties.

Anyone with information or a tip is asked to contact the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Violation Hotline by calling or texting 1-800-TIP-WDNR or 1-800-847-9367. You also may report online at the WDNR website. The hotline is in operation24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Trained staff relay information to conservation wardens.

Federal reward for information on poisonings offered

NORTHERN WISCONSIN (WFRV) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced a reward for information regarding poisoning cases in northern Wisconsin.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the reward is up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and/or charges being filed against a responsible party.

This is a federal reward from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Wisconsin DNR is not involved in the reward process.

At this time, lab tests are underway to confirm the cause of the deaths within the wildlife cases. 

Anyone with information about the wildlife and dog deaths is asked to contact the Service Office of Law Enforcement in Madison at 608-221-1206. 

Fatal dog and wildlife poisoning in northern Wisconsin, DNR asking for public’s help

FRIDAY 4/19/19 11:19 a.m.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service are seeking the public’s help in solving several cases involving the poisoning deaths of domestic dogs and wildlife since December.

Dog deaths have occurred in Bayfield, Marinette and Florence County; however, it is unknown if other counties could be involved.

In addition to the poisoning of these family pets, investigators also found dead coyotes, weasels, raccoons and one wolf that they suspect also were poisoned.

The DNR says lab tests are underway to confirm the cause of death in these wildlife cases.

The DNR also says the deaths occurred on public properties in these counties managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Goodman Timber Company.

This photo shows an actual sample recovered by WDNR law enforcement at one of the locations of a canine fatality.

Investigators say the poison was found on the ground in rural areas and subsequently was ingested by the dogs.

Each dog died in less than 30 minutes after ingestion.

People walking their pets are recommended to keep them on leashes to restrict their movements off roadways and into possible contact with any possible poison.

If you have information or a tip – no matter how insignificant it may seem – please contact the WDNR Violation Hotline.

You may confidentially report by calling or texting: 1-800-TIP-WDNR or 1-800-847- 9367. You also may report online: https://dnrx.wisconsin.gov/rav/ The hotline is in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Trained staff relay report information to conservation wardens.