ANIMAL welfare inspectors have appealed for information after they received two unrelated reports of poison being found in the west of Scotland – apparently intended to harm animals.

The Scottish SPCA was alerted on January 6, when what appeared to be slug pellets or rodenticide was found in a 2ft square at the entrance to Overtoun Park in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire. Because of the amount and location of the poison found, the charity said it would suggest that it was put their intentionally to harm an animal.

An undercover inspector from the Scottish SPCA’s Special Investigations Unit said: “It looks like a whole canister was used and the council are confident that it was not them.

“There has previously been a report of a large pile of gelled gravy in the park but we can’t say for sure if it was poisoned.”

The same day the charity received a report of a white powder-like substance found in a garden in Stevenston, Ayrshire. The owner believed it had been put there intentionally to target the dogs living in the property.

“Dogs are usually very curious and will try to eat the poison,” added the undercover inspector. “I recently dealt with a report of a Jack Russell who congested a large amount of slug pellets and was extremely ill. There is a concern poison is being laid on purpose. The poisoning of domestic animals is a huge issue and they are incredibly difficult to solve due to the nature of the crime.” Anyone with information is urged to contact the Scottish SPCA on 03000 999 999.