Manhunt launched after mysterious meat which made dogs unwell left in London park | News UK

Police have deployed extra patrols in parks across west London in the hunt for a suspected dog poisoner. 

Dog walkers have said they are ‘terrified’ after contaminated meat, which was found in Holland Park, west London, last week, left one pet dog seriously ill and killed two foxes.

The mystery poisoner also targeted Brompton Cemetery, triggering a Met police inquiry. 

They have warned pet owners of the danger as they trawl for key CCTV  footage that could unmask the poisoner. 

A Met Police statement said: ‘It has been brought to our attention from several sources that meat (Chicken) has been left in both Holland Park and Brompton Cemetery. A dog has consumed this meat and become very unwell and two foxes have been found dead (with no obvious signs of injury).

‘We believe that this meat may contain toxins and has been left on purpose to either harm foxes or dogs. The meat has been seen over several days so please remain vigilant and do not allow your dogs to scavenge. In Brompton Cemetery dogs should remain on leads at all times. 

‘Any further reports or information please get in contact. Do share this with all dog owners and walkers.’ 

Dog walkers in Holland Park said they feared for their pooches and have been exchanging messages via a WhatsApp group on any suspicious food left in the park. 

They are also on the lookout for the poisoner, who they described as a ‘disgusting’ person. 

Professional dog walker Daniel Palfi told Metro: ‘We are on high alert. Obviously it’s very worrying and they need to catch this person. It’s disgusting what they are doing.

‘It’s hard to imagine what kind of person could do this.’

Kailu Stabile, who was walking a Lurcher, called Moriarty, said: ‘Moriarty is not a big scavenger but to think that there is poison in the park is terrible.

‘We dog walkers communicate a lot and we are always on the lookout. It’s really horrible that anyone would do this.’

There is a police office in the park and they are trawling though any CCTV from around the area, including from the Belvedere restaurant which is in the grounds.

Meanwhile they are deploying extra patrols with a police vehicle circling the park as the hunt for the poisoner continues.

Carlotta Pironti, who was walking her Cavapoo called Nelson, told Metro: ‘People are terrified. It’s difficult to stop the dogs going for any food left on the ground. Why someone would do something so evil I don’t know.’ 

Parks police officers have been liaising with dog walkers and urging them to be extra vigilant. 

In Brompton cemetery dog walkers and those visiting graves said the poisoning was an act of ‘desecration’. 

Steven Murray 41, who was waking his French Bulldog Betty through Brompton Cemetery, told Metro: ‘I hadn’t heard about this I think it’s horrible and very said that someone would do this. They I must hate animals it’s just very scary. Some people do leave food out for the foxes which is fair enough but if there’s stuff with poison we need to know. I’m going to be extra careful.’

A woman who was walking her Lurcher dogs, Tarka and Raffy, told Metro:  ‘It’s really awful maybe it’s someone has personal vendetta or something. It’s very odd and quite scary.’ 

A pensioner who lives nearby said: ‘I come to the cemetery for some peace and quiet. To think someone is laying poison in a graveyard is desecration in my opinion.’

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101. 

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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