"I was out of town and my dog-sitter called to tell me that she was acting very weird," Pertile said. "When I got home, she was lethargic and dragging her hind legs. It was strange because she was always such a vibrant, energetic dog."

On Tuesday, he decided to have 13-year-old Macy put down: "She was totally paralyzed and going to die. The vet said she might have had a chance if she was a younger dog."

Macomb County Health Department officials said Friday they are investigating a number of dead or dying ducks found around a drain in the area. The suspected cause is Type C botulism, said Steve Gold, the Health Department's director.

The dead ducks and samples of the water have been sent to state Department of Natural Resources labs for testing, he said.

The poison typically affects only waterfowl and birds. It paralyzes ducks' muscles and the birds die because their lungs stop working or they can't keep their heads up and they drown, according to the DNR.

Gold said such outbreaks happen every year, adding: "There's no direct threat to humans unless they eat a duck that died or is dying from it."

Residents and homeowners should use common sense and keep their pets away from any dead or dying ducks, he said.

The warning is too late for Pertile, who sits on the board of his subdivision's homeowner's association.

He said the association has been trying to raise awareness about the problem. Members have been calling residents, putting fliers in their mailboxes and going door to door, he said.

Pertile said he's never seen ducks drop dead around the drain the way they are now in the eight years he's lived in the subdivision. By his tally, the bacteria have killed off more than 40 ducks and at least three dogs, he said.

As a result, he said he's been keeping a closer eye on his children, ages 11 and 7. "I am not letting my kids anywhere near the drain," he said.