Two dogs die after eating unknown white substance in Liverpool park
The park area has been cordoned off and people have been told to stay away while police investigate and tests are carried out to establish what the substance is that was found in a green space close to Childwall Valley Road, Belle Vale.
Tuesday 23 January 2024 14:54, UK
Two dogs have died and a third one is seriously ill after eating an unknown white substance at a park in Liverpool.
Merseyside Police said the dogs had ingested the substance at the green space close to Childwall Valley Road, Belle Vale, and were taken to a veterinary surgery at around 2pm on Monday after falling ill.
A fourth dog is also still receiving treatment.
The park area has been cordoned off and people have been told to stay away.
Tests are being carried out to establish what the substance, which is being removed "in a safe and controlled manner", by specialist contractors, later, is.
The force said in a statement: "An unknown white substance was found in a park area close to Childwall Valley Road.
"We received a report from a veterinary surgery at around 2pm yesterday (Monday) that a number of dogs had been brought to the surgery after falling ill after ingesting the substance.
"Two of the dogs later died, one was seriously ill and a fourth one was being treated.
"There have been no reports of any people, or further animals, being affected overnight.
"Specialist contractors will be attending the scene today to remove the substance in a safe and controlled manner and pedestrians and dog walkers are advised to avoid the area while the incident continues to be dealt with."
Officers are also scouring CCTV footage, speaking to witnesses and carrying out house-to-house enquiries, the force said.
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Chief Superintendent Jonathan Davies said: "The airborne risk from the substance is low but police officers who are at the scene are taking any necessary safety precautions.
"We would continue to advise people to avoid the area as the removal gets under way.
"Anyone who believes they were in the area yesterday and came into direct contact with the substance is advised to seek medical assistance if they believe they have suffered any ill effects.
"We would always advise anyone who comes across an unknown substance to not touch but to report it to police."