Coyotes and dogs die after poison is left in popular hiking area, Arizona officials say

Wildlife officials suspect coyotes, dogs and other wildlife died after poison was left in a popular hiking area in southern Arizona.

Now, dog owners are being warned to take extra precautions while in the area.

The bodies of 14 coyotes, three javelinas and a raven were discovered over the weekend in Pantano Wash in Tucson, the Arizona Game and Fish Department said in a Jan. 28 news release.

In addition to wildlife deaths, a dog owner contacted officials and said their dog was poisoned and had to be euthanized.

Their other dog went missing and was later found dead, officials said.

Another person said their dog died, and “a third took his dog to a veterinarian after it apparently ingested poison,” officials said.

Wildlife officials said they believe poison was put in food that would attract wildlife and dogs.

This discovery came after a necropsy was done on one of the dead javelinas. More testing will be done on the dead animals, officials said. Some theories have been made on what the poison could be.

“I suspect the poison is either strychnine or another fast-acting poison based on the appearance of the stomach contents,” the wildlife agency’s Dr. Anne Justice-Allen said in the release.

Officials said Pantano Wash is a popular hiking spot, so dog owners are advised to keep their animals on a leash while in the area.

If you suspect your animal is poisoned, look out for these signs: salivation, seizing and sudden collapse. “If a pet eats anything off of the ground in the area, owners should seek immediate veterinary care for the pet as the poison acts quickly,” officials said.

Any dead wildlife or animals “acting abnormally” in the area should be reported to the agency’s Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-352-0700.

This article by Helena Wegner was first published by The State on 29 January 2025. Lead Image: A recent investigation conducted by city officials in Prescott, Arizona, revealed that an “aggressive” coyote has attacked four residents in one neighborhood. Harry Collins/iStock.

What you can do

If you can, please make a donation on a monthly basis. It takes less than a minute to set up, and you can rest assured that you’re making a big impact every single month in support of  wildlife conservation.