Owner screamed as dog got 'wobbly legs' and died after eating mystery substance

26 January 2024 , 15:20

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Terrier Teddy is thought to have ingested an unknown substance and died (Image: Submitted)

A tiny dog suffered "wobbly legs" before passing away when he was poisoned by a mystery substance in a park.

Merseyside Police cordoned off a park in Belle Vale, Liverpool on Monday, after receiving reports of four dogs being taken ill. At around 2pm, police were called by a vet who had admitted a number of sick dogs that had ingested an "unknown substance".

Later it was confirmed that two of the dogs had passed away, while a third was seriously unwell. A fourth dog is still having treatment at a local vets. One of the dogs that died was a two-year-old border terrier called Teddy, who was walked in the park at 9am.

Rodney Ashton, 68, spoke to The ECHO on behalf of the dog's owners, his brother and sister-in-law Derek and Lisa. He said: "Lisa took Teddy for a walk at 9am when she noticed something wasn't right with the dog and started walking back home.

"The dog got wobbly legs and collapsed so she had to carry him. She was screaming and took the dog to the vets as he wasn't quite right. Derek went to the vets and Teddy wasn't good, they had to put him to sleep."

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Police have now reopened the park after the suspicious substance was removed to be forensically tested. A spokesperson from the force confirmed enquiries into how the substance came to be in the park remain ongoing.

The cordoned-off park in Belle Vale, Liverpool (Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)

After hearing his brother's dog, along with three more, were killed or seriously ill following the incident, Rodney set up a GoFundMe page to help "cushion the cost" of vet bills following the incident and allow them to grieve.

He said: "My heart goes out to all of the owners, including my brother at this tragic time. Along with losing their dog they also have the vet bills which are astronomical.

"I have set up a GoFundMe page to try and cushion the cost for the families involved and take the pressure off those owners. My brother didn't have insurance and is a self employed taxi driver. Even for people who have insurance they will have to pay some sort of excess."

Rodney said in the last 24 hours since creating the page they have already raised £205. He said: "After setting it up I saw somebody had donated £20, it brought a tear to my eye. There's lots of anonymous donations too. I know lots of people in Liverpool are pet lovers and will want to help."

To donate to the GoFundMe page, click here.

Ryan Fahey