Poisonous powder found in Edmonton dog park was meant to mark running race: Police

The Edmonton Police Service said Sunday that a “poisonous red powder” scattered in a local dog park that sent at least one animal to the emergency vet was actually placed there by a running group planning a race.

Police had initially said that a woman had reported her dog became ill and needed emergency vet care in the evening of Nov. 21, following a visit to the off-leash area in Buena Vista Park that afternoon.

Officers searched the park and found “36 spots around the trails, with no particular pattern, containing an unknown red powder on the ground.”

While initially police had said the powder contained bleached flour, potassium hexafluoride, and D-ribose 5-phosphate barium salt, later Sunday afternoon they sent updated information that the powder contained flour, salt and land surveyors chalk, which can be poisonous if ingested.

“The group is very apologetic and went out to the park today to ensure all the powder was removed from the ground,” said the update from police. “The group agreed to contact Park Rangers in advance of any future runs and ensure that only safe marking materials are used.”

No charges were laid, police said.

Buena Vista Park includes a “large off-leash area” and is located on the north bank of the river near the city zoo, adjacent to Sir Wilfred Laurier Park and Hawrelak Park.