A country path has been shut down by cops after 13 dogs collapsed and died within an hour of walking along it.
Horrified dog owners started reporting the mystery deaths of their pets to vets, police and RSPCA officials last week. Police believe the dogs were poisoned.
The dogs all collapsed, many convulsing and frothing at the mouth, after being walked along the rural footpath near Station Road in the village of Cross Hills, North Yorkshire.
Devastated Cross Hills resident Eileen Johnson, 71, saw her six-year-old Jack Russell Diesel collapse just ten minutes after returning home from a walk last week.
She had put the kettle on for a cuppa after getting back from the stroll when she heard a thump and turned round to find her dog having a fit.
She said: "I can't believe this has happened. He was a lovely, lively little thing. We walked him in the fields five days a week and he'd never been ill. He died so suddenly, it was as if someone just came in and shot him in front of my eyes. We took him to the vets but by the time we got there he was already dead."
Path shut after 13 dogs die
Concern ... police warn dog walkers following the deaths of thirteen dogs
Ross Parry
By ALASTAIR TAYLOR
31 May 2011
The Sun
A COUNTRY path has been shut down by cops after 13 dogs collapsed and died within an hour of walking along it.
Horrified dog owners started reporting the mystery deaths of their pets to vets, police and RSPCA officials last week.
The path has now been cordoned off, with the tally at 13 deaths - all believed from poisoning - in just six days.
RSPCA and police are now trying to discover what killed the dogs and whether poison has been put down deliberately.
The dogs all collapsed, many convulsing and frothing at the mouth, after being walked along the rural footpath near Station Road in the village of Cross Hills, North Yorks.
RSPCA animal welfare officer Sally Ramsden said: "People had been taking their dogs along this footpath and within less than 20 minutes, the dogs were suffering convulsions and dying.
"We are extremely concerned. We don't know what is causing this but we strongly suspect that the dogs may have been poisoned. We also cannot rule out the possibility that this is being done deliberately.
"These dogs have suffered horrendously and we desperately need to hear from anyone who has information. In the meantime, we really need people to stop walking their dogs on this footpath."
Devastated Cross Hills resident Eileen Johnson, 71, saw her six-year-old Jack Russell Diesel collapse just ten minutes after returning home from a walk last week.
She had put the kettle on for a cuppa after getting back from the stroll when she heard a thump and turned round to find her dog having a fit.
She said: "I can't believe this has happened. He was a lovely, lively little thing. We walked him in the fields five days a week and he'd never been ill.
"He died so suddenly, it was as if someone just came in and shot him in front of my eyes. We took him to the vets but by the time we got there he was already dead."
RSPCA spokeswoman Leanne Plumtree said that the dogs had all displayed symptoms of poisoning after taking strolls on the path.
Post-mortems are being carried out on the dead animals and another three dogs are said to be gravely ill.
Mum-of-two Louise Horsforth, 46, told how her dog, a cross springer cocker spaniel, Lola started fitting nine days ago after her walk on Sunday evening. At first it was thought to be epilepsy but the pooch recovered after being treated by vets.
Louise said: "We are so lucky Lola survived, my kids would have been distraught had we lost her.
"It is really sad to see how devastated some people are after their pets have died."
The RSPCA said anyone with information can contact them on 0300 1234 999, North Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060247 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Path shut after 13 dogs die | The Sun |News
Horrified dog owners started reporting the mystery deaths of their pets to vets, police and RSPCA officials last week. Police believe the dogs were poisoned.
The dogs all collapsed, many convulsing and frothing at the mouth, after being walked along the rural footpath near Station Road in the village of Cross Hills, North Yorkshire.
Devastated Cross Hills resident Eileen Johnson, 71, saw her six-year-old Jack Russell Diesel collapse just ten minutes after returning home from a walk last week.
She had put the kettle on for a cuppa after getting back from the stroll when she heard a thump and turned round to find her dog having a fit.
She said: "I can't believe this has happened. He was a lovely, lively little thing. We walked him in the fields five days a week and he'd never been ill. He died so suddenly, it was as if someone just came in and shot him in front of my eyes. We took him to the vets but by the time we got there he was already dead."
Path shut after 13 dogs die
Concern ... police warn dog walkers following the deaths of thirteen dogs
Ross Parry
By ALASTAIR TAYLOR
31 May 2011
The Sun
A COUNTRY path has been shut down by cops after 13 dogs collapsed and died within an hour of walking along it.
Horrified dog owners started reporting the mystery deaths of their pets to vets, police and RSPCA officials last week.
The path has now been cordoned off, with the tally at 13 deaths - all believed from poisoning - in just six days.
RSPCA and police are now trying to discover what killed the dogs and whether poison has been put down deliberately.
The dogs all collapsed, many convulsing and frothing at the mouth, after being walked along the rural footpath near Station Road in the village of Cross Hills, North Yorks.
RSPCA animal welfare officer Sally Ramsden said: "People had been taking their dogs along this footpath and within less than 20 minutes, the dogs were suffering convulsions and dying.
"We are extremely concerned. We don't know what is causing this but we strongly suspect that the dogs may have been poisoned. We also cannot rule out the possibility that this is being done deliberately.
"These dogs have suffered horrendously and we desperately need to hear from anyone who has information. In the meantime, we really need people to stop walking their dogs on this footpath."
Devastated Cross Hills resident Eileen Johnson, 71, saw her six-year-old Jack Russell Diesel collapse just ten minutes after returning home from a walk last week.
She had put the kettle on for a cuppa after getting back from the stroll when she heard a thump and turned round to find her dog having a fit.
She said: "I can't believe this has happened. He was a lovely, lively little thing. We walked him in the fields five days a week and he'd never been ill.
"He died so suddenly, it was as if someone just came in and shot him in front of my eyes. We took him to the vets but by the time we got there he was already dead."
RSPCA spokeswoman Leanne Plumtree said that the dogs had all displayed symptoms of poisoning after taking strolls on the path.
Post-mortems are being carried out on the dead animals and another three dogs are said to be gravely ill.
Mum-of-two Louise Horsforth, 46, told how her dog, a cross springer cocker spaniel, Lola started fitting nine days ago after her walk on Sunday evening. At first it was thought to be epilepsy but the pooch recovered after being treated by vets.
Louise said: "We are so lucky Lola survived, my kids would have been distraught had we lost her.
"It is really sad to see how devastated some people are after their pets have died."
The RSPCA said anyone with information can contact them on 0300 1234 999, North Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060247 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Path shut after 13 dogs die | The Sun |News
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