Dog owners have been warned to be on guard after reports of poisoned meat left on popular walking routes in Hillingdon.

Hillingdon Council has put up more than 20 notices telling owners to be vigilant after receiving reports of contaminated meat, and plan to put up more.

It comes one week after getwestlondon reported on Ollie, the healthy five-year-old Labrador that died from suspected antifreeze poisoning, in Ruislip.

Sarah Welburn with Ollie in happier times
Sarah Welburn with Ollie in happier times

Over the past two weeks, the council notices have been placed around Ruislip Woods urging dog owners to take care of their pets. More will soon be placed at Hog’s Back open space in Northwood.

A council spokesman said it received the first of three reports, about possibly contaminated meat, on January 12. Over 20 posters have been put up at each major entrance to Ruislip Woods. They will also go up at Hog’s Back after some dog walkers there expressed concern to the council.

The spokesman said council officials would also carry out extra patrols around Ruislip Woods.

None of the veterinary practices contacted this week by getwestlondon said they had treated poisoned dogs, but Gemma Taylor, a vet nurse at Arden House in Harefield, said: “We’ve had no suspected cases here but I am warning every dog owner that comes in here to be careful.”

The council is urging anyone with information can call police on 101.