Hove Park dog owners say pets died after poisoning

Multiple pet owners have reported their dogs falling ill after walking in Hove Park, and said two dogs lost their lives after becoming sick.

They said that their dog had eaten something in the park prior to their death.

The Argus has contacted Sussex Police who confirmed a dog was reported ill, as well as Brighton and Hove City Council for more information.Colin died after eating something in Hove Park on Saturday (Image: Stuart Durand)

Stuart Durand said his family dog, a rescue called Colin, died after ingesting something in Hove Park on Saturday, April 27, and suffering multiple seizures.

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Paying tribute to their “remarkable” dog, Stuart, 53, said: “Everyone he came into contact with seemed to bond with him.

“We are all totally devastated – he was just such a super dog.

A chew toy found near Three Cornered Copse today. Dog owners fear it has been deliberately punctured and filled with rat poison (Image: Supplied)

“We just can’t believe what has happened.”

A dog chew toy in the shape of a snake was found by a passing dog owner near Three Cornered Copse in Hove this afternoon.

The toy looked like it had been “deliberately punctured” and filled with a substance which “looked like rat poison”. Update: The dog owner has now raised the point that the substance might be polystyrene. The Argus has contacted police about this claim.

Stuart, said he was at Hove Park walking his two dogs, Colin and Hattie, on Saturday evening when Colin appeared to eat something nearby.

After returning to their family home in Hill Drive, Hove, Colin began to have a serious seizure for more than half an hour.

Colin suffered seizures after arriving home from Hove Park (Image: Stuart Durand)

After taking Colin to Coastway Vets in Kemp Town the dog was treated by vets while Stuart went to the emergency department at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton having been bitten on the hand.

Stuart’s wife Anna, 57, and their two adult sons James and Guy flew home from a holiday in Italy to visit their dog while he fought for his life.

Despite the best efforts of vets, Colin passed away in the early hours of Monday morning.

Stuart added: “We want answers. While nothing will bring back Colin we have another dog and the last thing we want is for this to happen to them too.”

Stuart said that another dog owner who regularly walked in Hove Park had told him their pet had also died in recent weeks.

The matter has been reported to Sussex Police.

A spokesperson for the force said: "We are aware of unconfirmed reports of dogs being injured in the Hove Park area in recent days.

"A dog was reported ill after walking in Hove Park at about 6.30pm on Saturday, April 27.

"Officers and PCSOs from the Neighbourhood Policing Team have been completing increased patrols in the area to provide reassurance.

"Anyone with information is asked to report it to Sussex Police online, quoting serial 1168 of 30/04."

Brighton and Hove Council, which runs Hove Park, has also been approached for comment.

We'll bring you more updates as we get them.