Dog owners warned about 'poisoned sausages' at popular walking spot

Police have issued a warning to dog owners after cocktail sausages believed to be stuffed with toxic slug pellets were found at a popular walking spot.

Police in Hailsham, Sussex, have told dog walkers to be cautious after the contaminated meat was discovered by a member of the public.

The sausages, which had been sliced open and filled with the blue pellets, were found on the Cuckoo Trail in Hailsham yesterday evening.

The issue of dog poisoning was highlighted last month when a the Irish setter Jagger died after competing at Crufts.

It was initially thought he had been poisoned at the event, but toxicology results revealed the dog had eaten what is believed to be contaminated beef in Belgium.

Poisoning is a criminal offence in the UK under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The maximum penalty for those found guilty is up to six months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £20,000.

Anyone with evidence to support allegations that someone is deliberately trying to poison dogs is asked to contact the RSPCA's national cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.