Police have launched a probe to investigate a rural footpath after 13 dogs were mysteriously poisoned to death over the course of just a few days.
The horrifying series of deaths in Cross Hills, North Yorkshire, occurred within an hour of owners talking their pets for a walk along the path, which has now been cordoned off.
The RSPCA say they are unsure whether the fatalities have been caused
deliberately but have appealed for dog owners to stay away from the path.
Eileen Johnson's Jack Russell Diesel was one of the first dogs to mysteriously die when he collapsed just ten minutes after returning home from a walk.
Devastated Mrs Johnson 71, had put the kettle on after the walk when she heard a thump and when she turned round she saw her six-year-old pet having a fit.
She said: 'We walk the fields five days a week and I can't believe this has
happened. He was a lovely, lively little thing.
'He'd never been ill and then he died so suddenly as if someone just came in and shot him in front of my eyes.
'We took him to the vets but by the time we got there he was already dead.
'The vet initially thought it was a heart attack, because Diesel was one of the first dogs to die, but now we're waiting for post-mortem results.'
RSPCA animal welfare officer Sally Ramsden said: 'We are extremely concerned about this situation.
'People are taking their dogs out along this footpath and within less than 20 minutes, the dogs are suffering convu
lsions and dying.
'We don't know what could be causing this but we strongly suspect that the dogs may have been poisoned.
'We also cannot rule out the possibility that this is being done deliberately.
'These dogs have suffered horrendously and we desperately need to hear from anyone who has information about these incidents. Read More
'We desperately want to hear from anybody who knows anything that might be able to help us with our enquiries.
'They can either contact us on 0300 1234 999, North Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060247 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.'