Four small dogs found suffocated

Over the past two months Maricopa residents have discovered four small dogs apparently suffocated by white plastic garbage bags. Three have been found near Alan Stephens Parkway and Porter Road, and one was found in a resident’s backyard.

Two have been identified as beagles; one had gone missing two days prior. The other two were small dogs, but the breeds were not identified.

It is important to take precautions to protect your pets. If you have a doggy door, or leave your pets outside while you are away from home, Kimberly Diedrich of Pet Social Worker offers the following tips to help keep your pets safe:

• Make sure that your pets have ID tags; a person is more likely to pick-up a stray pet if it has tags and the owner can be contacted quickly
• Lock your gates
• If possible, have your pets micro chipped; if the animal gets out of the collar, the owner can still be located by animal control

The Maricopa Police Department asks that if anyone has information surrounding these incidents that they call the Silent Witness Hotline, 520-316-6900. Also, please call 520-866-5111 if any similar animals are located.

The city of Maricopa is concerned about these incidents and will take the appropriate steps as needed.

To license your pet in Pinal County, stop by City Hall, 45145 W. Madison Ave., on Wednesdays, 11 a.m.- 1 p.m., or visit www.pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/AnimalControl.

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