Free dog treats are usually a welcome gift for pet owners—but a recent sabotage attempt in Pennsylvania marks a notable exception to that rule. At least a dozen fish hooks were found embedded in treats along the Appalachian Trail yesterday, in an apparent attempt to injure or kill unsuspecting pets. Officials made the discovery in the Lehigh Gap area near Slatington, Pennsylvania, and immediately issued a warning via social media.

　　“All treats that were found have been removed, and authorities have been notified,” wrote the Lehigh Gap Nature Center in a recent Facebook post. “Hikers with pets should use caution on the Appalachian Trail around the Lehigh Gap.”

　　The post was shared more than 7,000 times in 24 hours, and Lehigh Gap Nature Center disabled the comment section after conversations became heated.

　　In a recent statement, Chad Schwartz, executive director of the nature center, said this part of the trail sees heavy traffic this time of year. He expressed surprise at the apparently malicious intent behind the planted dog treats and said this is the first time any such activity has occurred within the Lehigh Gap Nature Center. He remains hopeful that this will be an isolated event.

　　Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time that malicious booby traps have been set along the Appalachian Trail. In 2016, a hiker discovered a plank bristling with nails along the Pennsylvania State Game Lands 305 section of the Appalachian Trail. The board seemed to have been set as a trap to harm visitors to the area. In 2019, a mountain hiker was flung from his bike in Wilkes-Barre, a different part of Pennsylvania, when he rode into a rope, which had apparently been slung across the trail to flip cyclists.

　　This also isn’t the first case of trailside attacks targeting pets. In 2022, hikers discovered drug-laced hot dogs hidden along a trail in Idaho. In previous years, poisoned meatballs, contaminated ground beef, and other forms of bait have taken out pets in nearby areas.

　　Right now, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is keeping an eye out for further incidences of fish-hook-filled dog treats, and authorities are actively searching for the perpetrators. No dogs have been reported injured at this time. They’re encouraging anyone with additional information to report it to 1-888-PGC-WILD.

　　In the meantime, locals are encouraged to keep pets on the leash—and to regard any freebie treats with caution.