Pasadena dog owners be warned: someone is leaving foods toxic to pups in public

A suspect dressed in a suit appears to have been intentionally leaving foods toxic to dogs around Foothill Boulevard in East Pasadena for over a year.

The situation has now gotten the attention of County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who, in a press release, shared a video of the suspect.

"I am outraged that someone is going out of their way to hurt dogs and their unsuspecting owners who are just enjoying a trot down Foothill Boulevard," said Supervisor Barger. "This person needs to be immediately identified and stopped, animal cruelty should never be tolerated. This is just plain wrong."

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KNX News' Emily Valdez spoke with Junior Hernandez, who works at Dogtopia of East Pasadena , a doggy daycare where the suspect left his most recent pile of the highly toxic foods.

"So the unusual thing that he's leaving is grapes and chocolate in a small bag where dogs would go and smell in brushes and grass, and along the walk where owners wanted to take their pups out to get a little fresh air," Hernandez said.

Ms. Jacks Vasquez, General Manager of Dogtopia, said, "I've been in the animal care and veterinary business for over a decade. I can definitely say that consuming even the smallest amount of grapes can be lethal. Eating chocolate can also make dogs very sick and result in thousands of dollars in veterinary bills. I've been warning customers but am worried the word won't get out to the community at large. I appreciate Supervisor Barger's support and efforts to prevent tragedy from striking."

Pasadena Police Chief Gene Harris said reports can be directed to the Pasadena Police Department, and they will be thoroughly investigated. "Any actual and reported cruelty to animals will be taken very seriously and with assertive enforcement," said Harris.

Anyone with information should contact the Pasadena Police Department immediately at (626) 744-4501 or go to cityofpasadena.net/police and click on the “Report A Crime” link.

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