The Eagle County Sheriff's Office believe the dogs were fed poisoned chicken.

According to law enforcement officials, two family dogs became ill suddenly on Thursday, August 27, at the El Jebel Mobile Home Park in the small community of El Jebel near Carbondale. The dogs had been outside in the yard of the family's home for a short period of time, according to a press release issued by the Sheriff's Office. When the dogs were let back inside, one of the two dogs was acting strangely and became very sick, the release said. The dog vomited what is thought to be chicken, which the family said it had not fed to the animals. 

Shortly after, the second dog became ill, prompting the owner to take both dogs to a local veterinary clinic. The first dog died soon after arriving at the clinic, and the second dog was euthanized the next day when its condition continued to worsen.

Crime Stoppers Media Release: 09.01.20 - Two Family Dogs Die After Suspected Poisoning in El Jebel - https://t.co/iuOnm8WeKn pic.twitter.com/XWQpX4992V

— Eagle County Sheriff's Office (@EagleCountySO) September 1, 2020

Blood samples taken from both dogs contained trace amounts of a specific type of poison. Further tests have been ordered. Law enforcement officials believe the dogs were fed poisoned chicken while in their yard.

The Eagle County Sheriff's Office called the poisoning a "barbaric act" and said everybody in the community should be aware of what happened. Eagle County Crime Stoppers is assisting the Eagle County Sheriff's Office with the investigation.

A spokeswoman for the Eagle County Sheriff's Office told the Post Independent that the department believes dogs in the community have been poisoned before and that these dogs may have been targeted specifically by a neighbor or somebody in the neighborhood.

If you have any information about the crime or potential suspects, you are asked to call the Eagle County Sheriff's Office at (970)-328-8500 or Eagle County Crime Stoppers at (970)-328-7007 or 1-800-972-TIPS. Crime Stoppers tips can be reported anonymously. Online tips can be submitted at www.p3tips.com or mobile tips can be sent using the free "P3 Tips" mobile app.

Tips leading to the arrest and indictment of any suspect could result in a cash reward.