Federal cyanide trap injures eastern Idaho boy, kills dog

This Thursday, March 16, 2017 photo released by the Bannock County Sheriff's Office shows a cyanide device in Pocatello, Idaho, The cyanide device, called M-44, is spring-activated and shoots poison that is meant to kill predators. The U.S. Department of Agriculture released a statement Friday, March 17, 2017, confirming that workers placed the device that activated Thursday which resulted in the death of a 3-year-old Lab named Casey. Bannock County Sheriff Lorin Nielsen says a 14-year-old boy was taken to a hospital to be tested for cyanide poisoning but was not seriously injured and was released. (Bannock County Sheriff's Office via AP) (The Associated Press)

An eastern Idaho sheriff says he's investigating after a cyanide trap placed by federal authorities to kill coyotes injured a 14-year-old boy and killed his dog.

Bannock County Sheriff Lorin Nielsen tells the Idaho State Journal (http://bit.ly/2mCFmGu) that the device activated Thursday near Pocatello.

Nielsen says the boy was taken to a hospital to be tested for cyanide poisoning but was not seriously injured and was released. The dog, a 3-year-old Lab named Casey, died.

Nielsen says the device was placed in the area by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

It's a spring-activated device that is typically smeared with bait and shoots poison into an animal's mouth when it tugs on the trap.

Federal authorities declined to comment when contacted Friday by The Associated Press.

___

Information from: Idaho State Journal, http://www.journalnet.com