Christchurch dog park closed after dog poisoned

CHRISTCHURCH : A popular dog walking park has been closed in Christchurch after a Labrador died from suspected poisoning.

The Groynes Reserve Dog Park was temporarily closed for the weekend and until further notice, the Christchurch City Council said in a social media post on Saturday.

‘‘Dogs have become unwell and this is currently being investigated. The park is being closed for extra precaution,’’ the council said.

The Groynes Dog Park Facebook page has been flooded with messages of sympathy for Aimee Hinii, whose 2yearold dog Chief died just hours after a walk at the dog park.

One of Ms Hinii’s friends said the dog became ill and died a day after ingesting an asyet unknown poison at the dog park and warned other owners to take care.

The Groynes is one of the country’s most picturesque dog parks, with views across the Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps.

Hidden just off the highway northeast of the airport, the fenced park features an expansive crosscountry area, a creek for swimming in, and multiple agility courses. — The