Police are appealing for information following recent reports on social media of dogs becoming ill or dying of suspected poisoning after visiting local parks.
Police Sergeant Lynsey Jackson told wilmslow.co.uk "Local PCSO James Hails has been in contact with the owners of the dogs and both have been referred for post mortems. Rat poison has not been confirmed in either death. The vets believe that there may be a canine illness that may be being passed from dog to dog. As soon as we are able to share any information with the consent of the owners we will.
"The police have not been directly contacted regarding these incidents however we are aware that various stories are circulating on social media. We have not been told that tennis balls have been involved although we have been notified of a ball being located that had a strange smell, we have advised that this ball gets destroyed.
"The deaths that have occurred did not involve a tennis ball."
Sgt Jackson added "We would like to appeal for any information from the community. And PCSO Hails can be contacted via any social media methods or via 101. The team have spoken to the council who have not been spraying any chemicals and officers have completed regular patrols in the park to reassure the community."
Bev Statom sadly lost her beloved dog on June 9th. That morning they went to Lacey Green Park as usual where something happened to Ted although Bev said "He didn't come into contact with any tennis balls."
Ted died in her arms in the afternoon of suspected poisoning.
She explained "It's going to take a few weeks to know what poison, if any killed Ted. My vet treated him for rat poisoning, because Ted died of massive internal bleeding but the test to confirm that takes a few weeks. However, the vet also thinks it could have been a virus that is affecting dogs."
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Cheshire East council are also reporting that there have recently been many cases of dogs not being kept on leads in local countryside which has caused distress and injury to livestock and wildlife. Maybe one of the dogs allowed to run loose picked up something that a farmer put out for the intention of killing rats or maybe someone is taking revenge for dogs harming their livestock? We really don't know until the police investigation returns results.
The vet apparently said Bev Statom's dog may have died of a virus which has been going around. It's worth remembering that if you own a dog and your dog has a virus (whether you're aware of it or not), that the virus can be passed on through their poo to other dogs or to people, especially children. Therefore, it's imperative you pick up dog poo and either take it home or put it in a special dog poo bin (where available) and don't just leave in a plastic bag for someone else to deal with as that will cause viruses to spread and may put the lives of dogs at risk.
Poison or a canine virus?
Until then its best we keep our dogs on a lead and away from other dogs until the truth is known
As isolated, seemingly unconnected events, nobody is joining up the dots. That would suit someone with nefarious motives. And the authorities.
If it transpires that they are simply natural, albeit tragic, occurrences, dog owners would be able to take evasive action in not allowing dogs/animals in general near blue algae; carcases; discarded tennis balls etc.
Any takers?