A HEARTBROKEN dog owner believes her beloved pet was fatally poisoned with antifreeze as she went for a walk in Park North.

Julie Whittome was on her daily outing in Buckhurst Fields with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Heidi and Ruby last Monday when tragedy struck.

The 48-year-old noticed seven-year-old Ruby picked up and ate something just as they were about to leave, but was not overly concerned. However, Ruby died just four days later as a result of what she ingested.

“My little one ran across the field but Ruby always stayed nearer to me,” Julie said.

“I noticed she picked something up as I was putting their leads on but dogs are always doing that. She seemed okay when we got back home, other than her not wanting her afternoon treat. I didn’t think anything of it.”

In the hours that followed, Ruby’s health deteriorated and Julie woke the next day to find her cherished canine was bleeding and had been vomiting.

Julie immediately rushed her to Thameswood Vets and said she was told that Ruby had been poisoned , probably with antifreeze.

“I contacted the police because there are a lot of little ones who walk to school that way and it only takes one of them to pick something up. It was definitely something edible that she picked up and people have said little pieces of sausage could be laced with antifreeze or something.

“This could kill a child and I don’t want that to happen, so I’m trying to warn people.”

After Ruby was transferred to a different branch of the veterinary clinic, vets soon realised that Ruby’s health was not going to improve and Julie took the heart-breaking decision to put her dog to sleep.

“She suffered horrendously but the vets did all they could to try to save her,” she said.

“Because she went into toxic shock from whatever she ingested, her organs were failing and the arteries around her heart were damaged.

“The vets said she definitely ingested poison.

“I am completely heartbroken. Ruby was part of our family. I used to be quite a recluse and she was my therapy dog in getting me out of the house.

Julie has taken to social media to spread awareness of what happened to Ruby, with hundreds of her friends sharing the post to warn others.

She added: “I haven’t had it confirmed or anything but after I put it on Facebook I have heard from other people that someone is putting antifreeze down to kill off the foxes.”

Anyone wishing to report a similar incident can call the Dog Warden Service on 01793 445501 or 01793 466453 at all other times.