New dog poison fear in city park

A seven-year-old boy from Bath has been left distraught after his dog was poisoned.

The incident involving Joey Sharp's pet Boba has revived fears from a year ago that poison is being left in the city's Sydney Gardens.

The Year 2 pupil at Bathwick St Mary's School dotes on his two-year-old springer spaniel, which his dad Ian took for a walk in Sydney Gardens last week.

On arriving home, the animal began acting strangely, and her eyes clouded over.

Ian and his wife Susan were concerned, and so took Boba to Nature's Own Vets, at Upper Wellsway, where the dog was hooked up to a drip.

It was later revealed that she had been poisoned, although exactly what the substance is will not be known until blood test results are received.

Ian said: "We don't really know why it happened, and are shocked that someone would do this.

"Joey was beside himself, and was really upset.

"It is very difficult to try and explain to a child why someone would want to poison his beloved dog."

Boba is now recovering at home, and Ian wants to warn other dog owners about the dangers.

He said: "I want to raise awareness of this, as it could happen to other dogs.

"Boba was lucky, it was really touch and go whether she would survive.

"Another dog might not be so lucky."

Last June, two dogs were killed and several others were left seriously ill after eating poison.

A brown syrup- like liquid was blamed and appeared to have been put out to deal with squirrels, although Bath and North East Somerset Council confirmed that it had not put anything down in the area.

Bath Animal Action is warning people to be on their guard while walking their dogs.

A spokesman said: "We had a problem with dog poisoning last year, and we thought that was it.

"Now it looks like it could be happening again.

"We would urge all dog owners to be vigilant, and be on the look-out for anything unusual.

"If this is deliberate poisoning, then it needs to be stopped."

Vets are urging dog owners to look out for any unusual symptoms in their pets.

Hassan Salamian, from Nature's Own Vets said: "The symptoms of poisoning in dogs are dribbling, shaking, vomiting and a pale complexion.

"If owners are worried about their pets they should take them to a vet immediately, where the dog can be given anti-poison drugs."

Sally Moore, aged 57, from Bathwick often walks her Jack Russell Ellie in Sydney Gardens.

She said: "It is horrible to think that someone may be doing this deliberately.

"I will be extra careful now when I take Ellie for a walk in the park."

The council is investigating the incident.

A spokesman said: "Bath and North East Somerset Council is looking into this although we have not been contacted directly by the person in question. The council has spoken to the police who are not aware of this at present. Once the vet's results are back, and if poisoning is confirmed, we would recommend that the police are contacted. As landowners we will continue to be vigilant."