Police and the RSPCA have renewed their appeal for information over the poisoning of five dogs.
The dogs consumed discarded meat placed on the grass verges in Salmon Street in the vicinity of Fryent Country Park in Brent. Two died and the other three required medical treatment.
The substance has been analysed and found to be Methomyl, a carbamate insecticide which has been banned due to the toxicity of the substance.
Brent police are urge dog owners to be extra vigilant and advising the public to wear gloves if handling any substances. There have been no arrests to date.
RSPCA chief inspector Simon Osborne said: "This kind of poison is extremely toxic for dogs and other animals if consumed and it is very concerning to hear that this is what caused the recent deaths. We urge anyone who knows of any person who has a stock of this particular insecticide at home or in even their shed or garage to talk the Police or ourselves in complete confidence, so we can investigate further."
Sergeant Peter Rowntree from Brent Police added: "Officers from Fryent Safer Neighbourhoods Team have been carrying out extra patrols in and around the park. I am grateful to everyone who has assisted to raise awareness regarding these incidents and I would encourage all dog walkers and the users of any of our parks, to be vigilant and phone through any suspicious activity. With better weather and longer hours of daylight the parks will be busier and I am hopeful that any criminal activity is more likely to be seen and phoned through to us."
If anyone has any information they are asked to call 101 or Brent Council, Animal Welfare on 020 8937 5256.
A Natural England spokesperson said “It’s distressing and disturbing to think that somebody could be using such a dangerous toxin so indiscriminately. We would encourage anybody with any information on these incidents to contact Brent Police immediately.”
If your dog has eaten anything and you have any concerns to take your pet to the vet straight away. Symptoms to be looking out for which are as follows
- Muscle tremors, shaking, ataxia (weakness in legs and falling)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Increased urination
- Excessive salivation
- Bradycardia (low heart rate)
- Dyspnoea (difficulty breathing)
- Other less noticeable symptoms can be contraction or dilation of pupils and tearing of the eyes.
Most noticeable symptoms are trembling/shaking, slow heart rates and vomiting/diarrhoea
