Dead dogs mystery could be ‘deliberate’ poisoning

Poisonous mushrooms, antifreeze and algae are being considered as animal welfare experts and the police try to solve the mystery of dying dogs in a quiet North Yorkshire village.

At least eight dogs have dropped dead within roughly 20 minutes of their owners walking them along the same footpath at Cross Hills, near Skipton, over the last two weeks.

RSPCA officer Sally Ramsden said: “We don’t know what could be 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.”

One local veterinary practice admitted five dogs which were suffering from seizures and died shortly afterwards. Another vet treated a further three dogs suffering from similar symptoms – they also later died.

The symptoms are similar to the effect of antifreeze on cats – which is fatal. But none of the owners said they’d seen their dogs eating anything unusual. Leanne Plumtree, RSPCA

Efforts continue to try to determine the cause of the deaths. The Environment Agency has carried out water tests but did not detect poisonous bluegreen algae, one possible cause.

RSPCA press officer for the north of England, Leanne Plumtree, told Channel 4 News the case is one of the most “weird” she has worked on.

She said: “It’s perfectly possible it’s a complete accident and nobody’s fault.

“The symptoms are similar to the effect of antifreeze on cats – which is fatal. Their internal organs shut down.

“But none of the owners said they’d seen their dogs eating anything unusual.”

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said that at the moment the investigation is being led by the RSPCA but the force is ready to move in to “assist at a later stage” if evidence points towards deliberate poisonings.

Sally Ramsden added: “People are taking their dogs out along this footpath and within less than 20 minutes, the dogs are suffering convulsions and dying.

“These dogs have suffered horrendously and we desperately need to hear from anyone who has information about these incidents.”

The pathway remains cordoned off while investigations take place.