Two pet Springer Spaniels have died and a third dog is ‘in a bad way’ after allegedly eating poison during a walk.
Nigel Nicholson was enjoying a walk near Tamworth on Monday with his three dogs Roxxi, Poppy and Flash when the curious dogs picked up something sinister.
The pet owner, from Stonydelph, Staffordshire, claimed his dogs were deliberately poisoned.
Springer Spaniels Roxxi and Poppy died after allegedly picking up the substance, while Flash is also ‘in a bad way’ and in emergency treatment.
Now he wants to warn others in the area.
He said: ‘To who did this: You’re scum. I hope you can live with yourself.
‘My dogs didn’t deserve this and the pain it has put them through. My wife, my kids and grandkids are heartbroken.’
He believes ‘poison has been put out around Stonydelph somewhere and my dogs have eaten it.’
The heartbroken dog owner continued: ‘It’s hit or miss if my little man Flash makes it as my girls Roxxi and Poppy didn’t.’
Police launched an investigation into the suspected poisoning and the RSPCA is also involved.
Staffordshire Police appealed for information after ‘two dogs sadly died after eating something toxic on a walk in Tamworth’ on Monday, April 15 at about 5.30pm.
It said: ‘Two dogs, who had seemingly eaten something while they were out walking in the Stoneydelph and Birchmoor areas, were taken to the vets after falling ill and have since died.
‘A third dog has been undergoing emergency treatment.
‘We’re carrying out enquiries to find out more about what happened. If you have any information that can help us with our investigation, please get in touch. You can call us on 101, quoting incident 506 of 15 April, or message us using Live Chat on our website.’
A spokesperson for the RSPCA said the incident is ‘very concerning to hear’, adding that if ‘anyone suspects this has been done deliberately and has seen anything suspicious they can contact us or the police and report their concerns.’
‘We’d also encourage pet owners to keep an eye on the wellbeing of their animals and if they are showing symptoms of poisoning please get them veterinary treatment immediately.
‘Signs of poisoning can be seen anything from 30 minutes after an animal has ingested the chemical, though it can be two or three days before signs of kidney failure are seen. The signs of poisoning can include one, or several, of the following: vomiting, seeming depressed or sleepy, appearing drunk and uncoordinated, seizures and difficulty breathing.
‘Anyone deliberately poisoning an animal faces can be prosecuted under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
‘People should also take extra care when using any potentially dangerous substances, such as antifreeze or slug pellets, to ensure pets and wildlife are not affected and that substances are stored appropriately and properly disposed of.’
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