Dog owners left horrified amid spate of reported poisonings in Midlothian park

At least one pet is thought to have died this week and others have being ill in recent months after walks in Waterfall Park.

Worried owner Craig Stables told the Evening News he suspects someone tried to grab his black Labrador, Seve, on Thursday.

“My mum and dad were walking him and he ran off in front a hundred yards or so after sticks and that, and came back without his collar,” said Mr Stables, 38, from Bonnyrigg.

“It had a locking mechanism with a pin that has to be opened by a human, it doesn’t just spring off. I think someone tried to steal him for breeding.”

Mr Stables, who works at nearby Newbattle Golf Club, said a fellow dog walker who works for the police told of potential poisoning incidents.

“There’ve been two or three in the last couple of months. Somebody was saying they’d seen slug pellets dropped on the paths.

“Others were saying it might have something to do with the golf course, but I work there and it’s nothing to do with us. The area is popular with dog walkers and they’re worried.”

Other owners took to the What’s On In Dalkeith Facebook page to report cases of pets returning from the park shaking and vomiting.

Gillian Ramsay posted: “Everyone with dogs avoid Waterfall Park! My friend’s dog has been poisoned and didn’t make it, she was gone within an hour!”

Hayley Law said: “My neighbour’s dog has just died tonight after fitting and being sick, which was black after a walk in the woods and Waterfall Park.”

And Fiona Pearson said: “Our dog is currently in the vets, they think she has eaten something.”

Tracy McShane told how her pet pug, a gift for her son after he recovered from meningitis, died in similar circumstances last year.

She said: “My pug was poisoned over there last year, he sadly didn’t make it. He was only two.

“I hope they find who ever is responsible for this!

“I walk my other dog at the woods everyday it’s shocking what’s going on! These dogs are people’s family. Devastating!!”

Concerned owners have been advised to get toxicology tests on any pet suspected to have been poisoned. But with the potential cost running into thousands of pounds, many cannot afford to get to the bottom of their pets’ mystery illness.

Last May, one cat died and another was left seriously ill after being poisoned with antifreeze in Taylor Place, Dalkeith.

Stephanie McCrossan, of the Scottish SPCA, said at the time: “The poisoning of domestic animals is a huge issue and we deal with a large number of complaints regarding poisonings, and they are incredibly difficult to solve due to the nature of the crime.”

Anyone found guilty of deliberately poisoning an animal can face penalties of up to six months in prison, a £5,000 fine or both.