On March 12, 2023, more than 50 poisoned meatballs were discovered at the cross-country race site in France, killing 3 dogs within 15 minutes after eating them — another death recorded days after.
“The meatballs were pretty solid, we could see some seeds on them and that was poison,” reports a pet owner.
“…I immediately took out the meatball she had in her mouth but 20 minutes later, my dog was dead.”
French police investigated the scene in the southern town of Vauvert and found poison pellets on meatballs.
“They were just suffocating with all the foam and everything,” event organizer Dr. Bérengère Poletti said in an interview with the New York Times.
Organizers canceled the event and closed the site immediately after 3 dogs started vomiting and convulsing.
“I don’t know who did this, what are the reasons, but it’s just horrible,” said Dr. Poletti.
According to authorities, the perpetrator must have worn gloves to hide their fingerprints.
Investigators reviewed CCTV footage and sent DNA samples from the deceased dogs to a lab in Lyon to determine what poison was used.
Furthermore, the offender will be charged with acts of animal cruelty — a $79k fine (75k euros) and a 5-year prison sentence — once caught.
The 4 poisoned dogs were about to be set for the final round — winners of which qualify for the World Canicross championships in Germany in October 2023.
The Canicross is a canine race with its owners that has become increasingly popular in France recently.
Meta Description: On March 12, 2023, more than 50 poisoned meatballs were discovered at the cross-country race site in France killing 3 dogs within 15 minutes.
