Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Man accused of poisoning animals

Suspect faces felony charge from 2013 incident


By TERRY SMITH
Express Staff Writer

    A 52-year-old Hailey man is scheduled for a preliminary hearing next week for allegedly poisoning three dogs with tainted meat in a residential area of west Hailey last fall.
    In a case investigated by Hailey police, Kevin E. Wilson was charged in March with the felony crime of poisoning animals. Filing of the charge followed laboratory analysis of the some of the material and a review of the evidence by the Blaine County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The crime is punishable in Idaho by up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
    Wilson was not arrested but was issued a felony summons instead and remains free on his own recognizance. He made an initial court appearance in March and is scheduled for a June 10 preliminary hearing before Judge Daniel Dolan in Blaine County Magistrate Court. At a preliminary hearing, a judge determines if sufficient evidence exists to transfer the case to the higher district court for further prosecution.
    Wilson is represented by Ketchum attorney Brian Elkins.
    The case against Wilson originated on Nov. 11, 2013, when three dogs were treated at Sun Valley Animal Center after they ingested pork or chicken. According to Hailey police, the meat was found by the animals in a driveway on War Eagle Drive in the Della View area of Hailey.
    None of the animals died, but stomach material from the sick dogs was sent by Hailey police for testing to the MEDTOX Scientific laboratory in St. Paul, Minn.
    Hailey police Lt. Steve England said Tuesday that lab results showed that the meat was tainted with a generic sleeping aid and a “moderate amount” of generic Tylenol, which contains acetaminophen, a pain reliever that can be toxic to animals.
    “Talking to the vet, if they weren’t treated soon, it could have been more harmful to them,” England said.
    England said Wilson, who lives in the area, acknowledged putting the meat in the driveway but not to putting poison in it.
    “He admitted to putting the meat out there to bait and feed a bear that was in the area,” England said.
Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com




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