Major warning for UK dog walkers as poisoned meat found in UK parks | UK | News
The Metropolitan Police issued a warning to those walking their dogs in London parks, out of concern that the animals were being poisoned. Police said individuals may attempt to poison foxes or dogs with contaminated chicken that they believe contains toxins and was left deliberately to harm the foxes or dogs.
The announcement follows reports that chickens were left in Holland Park and Brompton Cemetery for several days. Two foxes were found dead with no apparent injuries in Brompton Cemetery, while a meat-eating dog was reported to be “very bad” elsewhere. Dog owners were asked to prevent their pets from littering and were reminded that animals in the cemetery should be kept on a leash.
Kris Sikora, a professional dog walker, said: BBC He had seen similar events in the past.
He said: “We had toys left lying around and poisoned before.
“What surprised me the most were the razor blades left in the tennis balls.”
He added that dogs should be taken to the vets if they eat something unknown, warning pet owners to “stay as vigilant as possible”.
Deliberately poisoning an animal, including foxes, is a criminal offense under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and is punishable by a maximum imprisonment of up to five years and/or an unlimited fine. However, it can often be difficult to determine whether such events are intentional or accidental.
Joe Thomason, owner of London dog walking company Green Dog Walking, said: Times: “We would advise all dog owners to be extra careful when walking in parks, especially in areas where these reports have emerged, such as Notting Hill.
“As professional dog walkers we always keep dogs under close supervision and prevent littering, but even well-trained dogs can pick up on things too quickly.”
According to the RSPCA, there were ten reports of suspected fox poisoning in London in 2025, with 92 reports recorded between 2020 and 2025. The charity warned that the figures were indicative rather than definitive as the cases could not be confirmed without a post-mortem.
Symptoms can begin within 30 minutes of ingesting the toxin, he said, but more serious effects, such as kidney failure, can take several days to appear. Warning signs include vomiting, drowsiness, disorientation, seizures and breathing difficulties.
They said: “Many different substances can poison pets, so it is helpful for pet owners to be aware of the signs of poisoning so they can be sure to take their pet to the vet immediately.”
