Alert after cocktail of chemicals kills dog

A NUMBER of properties have been searched as police in North Yorkshire continue to investigate the use of a cocktail of highly toxic chemicals that poisoned two dogs, one fatally.

Two spaniel dogs fell seriously ill immediately after a walk with their owner in the countryside near Pateley Bridge on April 23. The dogs were rushed to a vet and while one recovered, the second did not survive.

Police were alerted, prompting searches in the local area and a warning to other dog owners.

Samples taken from the dog which died were submitted to the Wildlife Investigation Scheme (WIIS), administered by Natural England, and the results showed the presence of four pesticides.

The dog had a significant quantity of bendiocarb in its system, along with smaller amounts of chloralose, isofenphos and carbofuran. The same four poisons were found to have caused the deaths of two red kites and a buzzard in Nidderdale since 2016, with other cases of poisoned birds of prey also involving one or more of the chemicals.

Inspector Matt Hagen, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “The fact we have seen this same combination of chemicals, the ‘Nidderdale cocktail’ as it is sometimes known, also cause the death of birds of prey in this same location would indicate that the poisons have been deliberately left in a place where they could be found by wildlife and unfortunately in this case, domestic pets.

“Pesticide abuse of any kind will not be tolerated and we are doing everything we can to try and find those responsible.”

After the latest tests and local intelligence, officers searched a number of properties in the area with assistance from Natural England and the RSPB.

None of the searches uncovered further evidence of who may have been responsible for the suspected pesticide abuse, leading the force to issue a fresh appeal for information yesterday.