Dogs almost die after ‘eating cannabis’ they sniffed out while on a walk
'When I took him to the vet they said it was almost certainly cannabis poisoning.'
Several dogs almost died after eating suspected cannabis left by a campfire at a nature reserve.
Albi, a three-year-old Jack-a-Poo, was taken to the vets by his owner Michelle Scott, 45, after he started swaying and his pupils dilated.
He had been out for a walk with Michelle in Cherry Orchard Local Nature Reserve in Worcester, on May 17 and then fell ill.
Albi was put on a drip at the vets and given charcoal to eat which helped line his stomach.
He recovered after 48 hours but Michelle is warning other dog owners about the nature reserve.
She said: ‘When I took him to the vet they said it was almost certainly cannabis poisoning.
‘I knew something was wrong when Albi was swaying like he was drunk and suddenly flinching. His pupils were very dilated.
‘It happens quite a lot to dogs and people don’t realise what to look out for.
Michelle said she believes Albi ate cannabis that had been left on the grass near a camp fire.
She added: ‘There was a couple that came across the same area and went to the vets straight afterwards when their dog fell ill.
‘It’s an odd one. No one can make sense of it.
‘It’s not an isolated incident – people have contacted saying it happened to them.
‘I’ve walked in the park for over 10 years so it’s a bit of a shocker.’
Another dog owner said her friend’s dog had been poisoned twice while walking around the nature reserve.
She said: ‘There’s been lot of problems here.
‘It’s become an unsavoury place. Something needs to be done because it’s going to be a child next.
‘I’d be absolutely horrified and shocked if it was my dog.
‘You’re scared to take your dogs there and even go around yourself.’
A spokesperson for the The Stocks Vet where Albi was treated said in a statement: ‘We can confirm we treated several dogs whose owners mentioned they were walking in the same area at the same time of day.
‘The dogs presented with similar symptoms where it was believed they accidentally ingested some form of toxic substance.
‘We worked hard as a team to treat and care for all patients and we are glad to say they are all stable.
‘Without detailed toxicology tests, we cannot give certainty on the exact nature of the poison but we have alerted the police.
‘To reassure pet owners in the area, we would recommend keeping dogs walked in the area on a lead for the time being.
‘If you suspect your dog has been poisoned, seek urgent veterinary advice.’
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