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.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here