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SANDY — A Sandy man is keeping a close eye on his property and his dog after he said someone tried to kill his dog Monday.
Drew Tovey says his 7-year-old pit bull “Riot” is friendly and the picture-perfect pet.
"He’s the greatest animal I’ve ever owned, and I’ve had several dogs,” he said.
Tovey said his son Taylor came home from school around 2:30 p.m. Monday and let Riot outside, a typical routine. Tovey said when Taylor went to play fetch with Riot in the backyard, he found five meatballs laced with drugs.
“I feel like it’s a targeting thing on my dog.” Tovey said.
His property, secured by a wooden fence, backs up to a walking trail near 10000 South and 1850 East. Tovey said he thinks someone walking on the trail Monday tossed the drug-filled meat patties into his yard to purposefully poison his pit bull.
That day he took Riot to the vet.
“They induced vomiting on him and fed him full of charcoal,” he said.
Dr. Marcel Lee, a veterinarian at South Valley Animal Hospital, said; “They had given 3,500 milligrams in one meatball. That would have been drastic for that animal.”
Lee said for a dog Riot’s size, ingesting that amount of pills easily could have killed him.
“They can’t breathe, they get liver failure and die,” Lee explained.
Tovey filed a report with Sandy City police and animal services. An investigation is underway. Sandy Police Sgt. Dean Carriger said if they find the person or people responsible, they could face felony charges for animal cruelty.
Tovey calls it a close call, and said he’s just glad Riot is going to be OK. However he and his family are on edge and feel violated on their own property.
“It’s sad I have to come out every single day and inspect my yard to see if someone is trying to hurt my dog," he said.
