AN angry dog owner has issued an urgent warning to residents after his beloved pooch ingested some rat poison disguised as dog biscuits at a popular park.

Lee Bodfield was walking German Shepherd Sheba at Mile End Recreation Ground, off Ford Lane, Colchester, on Friday morning.

He spotted her snaffling something off the ground and quickly made his way over to the 10-year-old pooch.

On closer inspection he discovered she had been eating pink pills of rat poison, which were disguised amongst dog biscuits.

Mr Bodfield, 47, said: "We go over the recreation ground a fair amount.

"We don't normally let her off the lead as she has lots of health problems but we took her over there as we heard there was a big puddle and she loves playing in puddles.

"I saw her nibbling something off the ground.

"I didn't think it was anything to worry about at first but then I went over and realised it was pink pellets.

"They had been placed with dog biscuits on top. It was obviously very planned."

Sheba had to have her stomach pumped after ingesting rat poison

Sheba had to have her stomach pumped after ingesting rat poison

  • Sheba had to have her stomach pumped after ingesting rat poison

Mr Bodfield, who lives off Mill Road in Colchester, immediately took Sheba to the vets where she had to have her stomach pumped.

She is home safe, but will have to be monitored closely over the coming days and has been given charcoal solution.

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Mr Bodfield said: "Luckily she didn't eat too much of it. If she was a Labrador it would have been different.

"I have put it on Facebook and asked people to share it as much as possible to get the word out.

"I am going to have a walk over there too to warn any dog walkers who might not use social media.

"The vets told me there have been other instances in Highwoods too."

Mr Bodfield has hit out at the heartless person who put the rat poison out on the recreation ground.

He said: "From the way it was planned it appears they are a nasty piece of work.

"During Covid in particular people's dogs can be their lifelines.

"They are not just animals they are best friends and can be the only company some people have if they live on their own.

"It could have been a kid who picked it up thinking it was a sweet.

"It was scary and it was distressing for Sheba. She had to be made to throw up."

He added: "She has enough health problems already without this."

Rat poison can cause internal bleeding in dogs and can lead to death in some cases.

If you think your dog has eaten some you should visit a veterinary straight away.