Cape Girardeau man charged with poisoning neighbors' dog

A Cape Girardeau man could face jail time for allegedly poisoning his neighbors' dog.

Ralph H. Ziegler, 58, 1315 Ashland Hills, was charged Monday with one misdemeanor count of animal abuse, according to a news release from Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle.

On Nov. 8, a Cape Girardeau couple found their German shepherd, Lola, had died of poisoning. They found a plate of ribs in their backyard, according to a probable-cause statement written and signed by Lt. Mark Maoros.

Barbecue sauce and a green fluid covered the ribs, according to the sworn statement.

Tests conducted by Lola's veterinarian confirmed that the green substance was antifreeze, which is deadly to dogs.

Lola's owners turned a note over to police that they found at their home last September reading "Please keep your barker quiet," the statement said.

Another neighbor of Ziegler's reported finding a similar note the same month. The handwrititng appeared to match, and the note was signed "Ralph," the statement said.

In an interview with police, Ziegler admitted to poisoning the dog because he was a light sleeper and Lola was "always barking," the sworn statement said.

He said he felt bad about the act and it had bothered him ever since it happened, the statement said.

Ziegler could face up to one year in jail or a fine of up to $1,000 or both, if convicted.

"We are getting more abuse complaints lately, but not a lot of poisonings that we've heard about," said Cheryle Dillon, director of the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri.

Dillon said she couldn't recall another instance in Cape Girardeau County of someone accused of intentionally poisoning a dog.