A veterinarian confirmed that a dog that died earlier this week on the South Hill was killed by a fast-acting poison used in pest control, bringing the number of dogs killed in the area to four in the last few weeks.

Murphy was a five-year-old Keeshond, a former show dog and one of Peggy Parker's best friends

?Pet lovers, who consider them part of the family, they understand what I'm saying, you just don't ever expected anything so senseless or so needless or so cruel,? Parker said.

On Tuesday Murphy was inside his own fenced back yard at Parker?s home located at 320 E. 17th when witnesses saw him eat something and a short while later start shaking uncontrollably.

?It had only been a few moments and by the time I drove him from here on 17th to the vet on 57th, he was almost gone. It happens very rapidly,? Parker said.

Once at the vet a doctor determined Murphy had ingested a neurotoxin similar to strychnine. While it's possible a major landscaping project in Parker's backyard unearthed old poison she thinks Murphy's death was intentional and that someone could have used a path in the vacant lot next door and dropped tainted meat over their fence.

?Because it had not happened in this part of the South Hill I really feel it's important to warn people that it could happen anywhere,? Parker said.

Tests results that would show whether this dog was poisoned with strychnine, the neurotoxin used in previous killings is not available.

Meanwhile because Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich sees these toxin cases a threat to both pets as well as humans he's asked a property crimes detective to review these reports and follow up any new tips.