In brief: Pet owners get warning of poison

Animal protection officers investigating suspected dog poisonings on the South Hill have found more meatballs soaked in an unknown substance.

Three dogs that died in the Moran Prairie neighborhood may have eaten poisoned meatballs, which also were found in two other locations, officials said Friday.

“All pet owners should closely inspect their yard and surrounding property,” said Nancy Hill, director of the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service.

The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons responsible for the Spokane dog poisonings.

Anyone with information is urged to call SCRAPS emergency number, (509) 477-2533.

Paramedic has license suspended

State officials have suspended the license of a paramedic who worked for Spokane’s private ambulance service after his superiors reported that the paramedic had choked and slapped a patient in December. Andrew N. Singleton, 67, apparently is no longer working for American Medical Response, said Gordon MacCracken, spokesman for the Washington state Department of Health. Local court files show that Singleton is not currently facing charges.

AMR officials did not return a phone call Friday, and efforts to reach Singleton were unsuccessful.

According to MacCracken, Singleton entered the patient’s bedroom to check on her. The woman, described as petite, pushed against Singleton who then grabbed her by the throat and pushed her across the room onto her bed. He then slapped the woman twice, according to state records.

“It doesn’t appear that she was badly injured,” MacCracken said. Singleton, who has been licensed since 1996, has 20 days to request a hearing.

Cooperation asked with call system

Random Spokane County residents and businesses will receive automated calls Monday and Tuesday to test a new emergency notification system.

County officials ask recipients of the calls to stay on the line until the message is completed. Doing so will register the test call and help ensure the system works before it is purchased.

The calls, limited to land-line telephones, will begin with the phrase “This is Alert Spokane” and end with “Thank you for your cooperation.”

A similar test in December revealed a need for further testing, and blocked plans to begin voluntary registration of cell phone numbers, VOIP phones and e-mail addresses this month.