After months of speculation surrounding the death of K9 Officer Tyson, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has confirmed that rat bait poisoning was not the cause of death, based on findings from a recently concluded toxicology report.

At the RSLPF’s monthly press conference held on September 25, Assistant Commissioner of Police Luke Defreitas revealed that toxicology testing conducted on samples extracted from the canine’s carcass showed no traces of rat poison.

“We have now received the report from the forensic lab and it indicates that there was no rat poisoning detected from any of the samples that were provided,” Defreitas confirmed.

Tyson, officially registered as K9 Officer 642, died earlier this year under what police initially described as suspicious circumstances. A pathologist’s preliminary assessment had indicated that the dog succumbed to internal bleeding, and had suggested four possible causes: rat bait poisoning, a severe blood clotting disorder, a low platelet count, or a severe bacterial infection.

The new toxicology findings now eliminate one of those possibilities, but Defreitas said the investigation remains active as the RSLPF seeks more clarity.

“It means therefore, at this point we need to have a sit down with the pathologist and have a review of the findings of cause of death,” he said.

He added that, on advice, the police intend to pursue additional testing.

“We will do further toxicology testing just to certain ourselves that the question of poisoning is not the actual cause of death.”

The RSLPF high command noted that it will continue to update the public on any breakthroughs in the case, ensuring the utmost transparency.

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