Nyxo before the poisoning.

Humboldt County Sheriff Press Release:

On 02-03-2014, at approximately 3:30 p.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by a 39 year old Larson Heights, Blue Lake, resident who reported his family dog was intentionally poisoned. The man said on the night of February 2, 2014, he let his neutered 10 year old Labrador mix named Nyxo out of their home and into their six foot wooden fenced back yard. When the Nyxo was outside, the man heard him barking at something, but thought it may be a passing animal, as his backyard has wild animals sometimes run by in the woods behind the home. The man said Nyxo was let back into his home a short time later. The next morning when the man woke up, he saw Nyxo was in his dog bed, however ; Nyxo was having seizures. Nyxo had also vomited up chunks of red meat. The man told the investigating deputy he did not feed Nyxo chunks of meat, only dried dog food the night before.

The man immediately took Nyxo to a local animal hospital in Arcata where a veterinarian examined and treated Nyxo. The veterinarian determined Nyxo was likely poisoned by something. The veterinarian was unable to save Nyxo who passed away.

The man drove Nyxo’s body to UC Davis, where a necropsy was conducted on Nyxo. U.C. Davis researchers determined Nyxo died as the result of concentrated Brodifacoum poisoning, which is an anticoagulant found in De-Con rat bait.

Nyxo’s owners have no idea who may have poisoned Nyxo. No other neighbors have reported any animal poisonings or using De-Con. Nyxo’s owners do not use De-Con, and did not let Nyxo run loose in the neighborhood.

For further information: http://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/digestive/e_multi_anticoagulant_poisoning

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriffs Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.