they died that night. Dr. Richard Hoffman performed an autopsy and
reported that the dogs showed symptoms of arsenic poisoning.
The cause of death could not be absolutely confirmed because no lab tests were
possible at the clinic.
"We do not have a test in a veterinary hospital to test for arsenic poisoning,"
Hoffman said. The veterinarian noted, however, that the dogs had tissue damage
consistent with arsenic poisoning and "both of these dogs were described as
having the classic symptoms of pain, weakness and vomiting."
The Hoyts did not know how their dogs could have come into contact with
arsenic, although they reported that the dogs' vomit contained vegetables and
other matter that they did not feed them. June Hoyt said the dogs were let out
on their two-acre property near Sisters each morning and evening. She believes
that they may have ingested the poison while they were out the evening of
December 2.
Dr. Hoffman said that as little a half-teaspoon of arsenic could be fatal to
dogs, depending on its concentration.
Dr. Hoffman said that this is the second incident of arsenic poisoning he is
aware of this year.
"I just hope this is coincidental and doesn't represent a pattern," Dr. Hoffman
said. "It's a terrible thing for these people to go through because these
dogs were obviously family members."
