RCMP investigating suspected dog poisoning

Mounties in Kelowna have opened an investigation into a case of a suspected poisoning of a dog.

RCMP received a report from a dog owner who had been at the Mission Dog Park off-leash area Sunday, Feb. 19.

The owner stated the dog, a Burmese-Poodle mix, had drank from water bowls set out in the park next to the Kinsmen Softball Complex.

On the way home from the park, the dog reportedly became violently ill and the next day was sluggish.

The dog was taken to a veterinarian, and blood work confirmed the dog had high levels of toxins and had suffered severe kidney damage.

The RCMP say the water bowls have been removed from the park.

The owner told police she did see someone filling the bowls at the park who was not with a dog. The suspect was described as a heavier-set Caucasian female, roughly 50 to 60 years old, with brown/red hair and wearing a blue toque, brown jacket and boots and dark brown plastic sunglasses.

The RCMP asks anyone with information on the suspect or with camera or dashcam footage from the area at the time, to contact the Kelowna detachment at 250-762-3300.

Additionally, the owner reportedly wished to help alert the public of the potential poisoning event and encourage other owners take their dogs to a veterinarian if experiencing similar symptoms.