Police are investigating a poster in Essex that threatens to poison dogs in an effort to stop them fouling in the street.
A poster pinned to a lamppost in Leigh-on-Sea stated that dog food would be placed in the area, laced with poison
Teacher Dave Foxall, 50, was walking two dogs in Marine Parade when he was shown the poster.
The ominous warning states: "The recent level of mess on the path has become intolerable.
"Apologies to the responsible owners but due to the selfish dog-owners, dog food laced with poision will be placed in this area of path and woodland."
It adds: “We hope to avoid death – but in the event of loss – perhaps you might consider walking your dogs on a lead and not allowing them to foul the path without removing their mess to the bins provided.”
Mr Foxall was shocked to see the poster and is now worried about walking miniature schnauzer, Nancy, in the area
He told the Standard: “It looked immediately quite official because it had the dog dropping sign.
“It said we will be putting down dog food laced with poison because of the intolerable dog mess.
“It alarmed me because someone is stating their intention to deliberately kill dogs.”
Mr Foxall added that it was a tiny minority of dog owners in the area who didn’t pick up their droppings and that it was worrying that someone would want to kill dogs because of it
He has since handed the poster into police, who he said are taking the threat very seriously.
Mr Foxall said: “It does make you think is somebody putting this up as a threat or maybe they think it’s funny but the fact that there have been poisonings in the area means you can’t really ignore it, it may well be genuine
“I don’t let my dog off the lead up there and even with them on the lead you’ll have to be extra vigilant to make sure they’re not going near any dog food.”
An Essex Police spokeswoman said ofiicers were investigating after being made aware of the poster and anyone with information should call Essex Police via 101.
MORE ABOUT