Rat Poison Sickens Dog, Closes Santa Clara Park

A portion of Jenny Strand Park in Santa Clara was closed on May 11 after a resident reported that a dog had ingested pellets suspected to be rodent poison, according to the city. The dog became sick but was later reported in stable condition, and city crews moved to shut down part of the park while they inspected and cleaned the site. Santa Clara police opened an investigation, and city officials said any identified suspect would be referred to the Santa Clara County District Attorney for prosecution. The park is near Apple’s headquarters, according to local television reports. ### Which part of the park was closed, and how large is it? Jenny Strand Park had about 5,000 square feet closed after the pellets were found, the City of Santa Clara said in a May 11 notice. The city said parks staff immediately removed visible material and conducted a thorough inspection after the report came in. The city did not say in its notice exactly which section of the park was cordoned off, but local television footage and reporting said parts of the park remained taped off the next day. (santaclaraca.gov) Residents were asked to avoid the closed area and follow posted notices. ### What happened to the dog that ate the pellets? On May 11, a resident told the city that their dog had ingested some of the pellets at the park, according to the city’s statement. (santaclaraca.gov) The city said the animal was sickened but stable. Janine De La Vega, a city spokesperson, told KTVU that poison control advised the owner how to induce vomiting and that the dog expelled 14 pellets. (santaclaraca.gov) ABC7 also reported that the dog was expected to recover. ### Did the city say the poison came from its own pest-control work? Janine De La Vega told ABC7 that Santa Clara does not use poison to control pests in parks because those spaces are used by children, families and pets. (santaclaraca.gov) KTVU reported that city officials said there appeared to be a gopher problem at Jenny Strand Park, but the motive for placing the pellets there remained unclear. (ktvu.com) The city’s own statement described the substance only as pellets “suspected of being rodent poison.” The notice did not identify a product or confirm through testing what the pellets were. ### How broad was the city’s response after the report? Santa Clara parks staff responded immediately on May 11, the city said, by removing visible pellets and inspecting the site. (abc7news.com) De La Vega told local television that crews also expanded checks beyond Jenny Strand Park. KTVU reported that crews spent the day inspecting city parks to make sure no similar pellets were present elsewhere. (santaclaraca.gov) ABC7 reported that the city was taking extra precautions and continuing thorough checks while the closure remained in place on May 12. ### What are police asking residents to do now? (santaclaraca.gov) Santa Clara police were notified of the incident, and the city asked anyone with information or who observed suspicious activity in Jenny Strand Park to call the department at 408-615-5580. The city also directed residents to contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 408-615-3163 about other issues observed in parks. (ktvu.com) The city said updates would be posted through its social media channels. As of the city notice and follow-up local reports, officials had not announced a reopening date and said the closure would remain in place while cleanup, inspection and the investigation continued. (santaclaraca.gov)