Suspected Rat Poison Shuts Santa Clara Park

Santa Clara officials closed part of Jenny Strand Park on May 11 after a resident reported that a dog ingested pellets suspected to be rodent poison and became ill, according to a city notice. The dog was later listed in stable condition, and the city said park staff removed visible material and began a site inspection. About 5,000 square feet of the five-acre park were shut while cleanup and investigation continued. The incident was reported to the Santa Clara Police Department, and city officials said any identified suspects would be referred to the Santa Clara County District Attorney for prosecution. ### Which park was closed, and how large is the closure? Jenny Strand Park, on Howard Drive in Santa Clara, is the park affected by the closure, according to city officials and local news reports. The city said approximately 5,000 square feet of the park was closed after pellets were found on the ground. ABC7 reported Jenny Strand Park is a five-acre neighborhood park near Apple’s headquarters. (santaclaraca.gov) The city’s parks directory lists Jenny Strand Park at 2330 Calle De Luna and identifies it as a park with a dog park and playground. ### What happened to the dog? On May 11, a resident told the city that their dog had ingested some of the pellets found at the park, according to the city’s notice. (santaclaraca.gov) The city said the dog was sickened but was in stable condition. ABC7 reported the dog ate 14 pellets, became ill and later vomited the poison, and the station said the pet was expected to recover. (abc7news.com) That detail did not appear in the city’s notice, which did not identify the owner or the dog. ### What have city crews and police done so far? (santaclaraca.gov) Park staff responded immediately, removed visible material and conducted a thorough inspection of the site, the city said. Santa Clara officials said cleanup, inspection and investigation efforts were continuing after the initial response. Janine De La Vega, a city spokesperson, told ABC7 that crews inspected the park, picked up pellets from the ground and expanded checks to other city parks. (abc7news.com) De La Vega also told the station that the city does not use poison to control pests in parks because those spaces are heavily used by children, families and pets. (santaclaraca.gov) ### Do officials know who scattered the pellets? Santa Clara officials said the case has been reported to the Police Department and asked anyone with information or who observed suspicious activity in Jenny Strand Park to contact police. The city said any identified suspects would be investigated and that appropriate charges would be forwarded to the District Attorney for prosecution. (abc7news.com) ABC7 reported authorities had not said when the park would reopen and that the decision would depend on when police determine the area is safe. The city’s public notice said future updates would be posted through its social media channels. ### What should residents do now? (santaclaraca.gov) Santa Clara officials asked residents to avoid the closed area and comply with posted notices while the investigation continues. The city said information about suspicious activity at the park should be reported to Santa Clara police at 408-615-5580, while other park issues should be directed to the Parks and Recreation Department at 408-615-3163. (abc7news.com) As of May 18, the city’s published notice remained the main official public update on the closure. The next public milestone is the park’s reopening, which officials said would come after cleanup, inspection and police review establish that the area is safe. (santaclaraca.gov)