Three 'poisoned' foxes found dumped in Birmingham park

Three dead foxes have been dumped in a Birmingham park - and the RSPCA believe they were poisoned.

The bodies were discovered by a member of the public in a tied-up bag at Chinn Brook Recreation Ground in Billesley, Birmingham, on Saturday.

The RSPCA said that the three animals had bitten through their tongues which is an indication of poison.

Their bodies were found near allotments.

RSPCA inspector Mike Scargill said: "In all cases the jaws of each fox was clenched, which would suggest poisoning.

"Poisoning foxes is illegal and anyone found to be participating in the illegal laying of poison for foxes can expect to be investigated and subsequently summoned to court."

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In May, in an unconnected incident, a couple from Tamworth issued a warning to people in Tamworth after two of their cats died from suspected poisoning.

Roger and Linda Hastilow, from Glascote Heath, were devastated after the deaths of their pet cats Leo on Sunday, May 13, and then Garfield on May 17.

Police and the RSPCA are investigating claims that the cats, aged seven, were poisoned just days apart.

Linda said: “Something is going on. For it to happen to one and then the other. You can’t believe people would do things like that.

“It puts the fear of God into us. We are thinking of putting a tag on George (the couple’s one remaining cat) so we can track him through an App. Roger was absolutely distraught.”

Roger said: “We have lived here for 33 years and never had a problem. We have always had pets.

The couple first realised something was wrong with Leo on May 9.

Roger recalled: “He was sick but we didn’t think much of it because cats are sick, we thought it was a furball. Then he didn’t have his tea so I thought something was wrong.”

He was taken to the vets and given medicine but got worse so was rushed back. Sadly the couple got a phone call telling them that it was not good news.

Then, Garfield was sick on May 13 and went through the same process as Leo before he was put down.

Vet Guy Smith, of Vets at Home in Amington, said : “We suspect that these two cats have been poisioned.

“They were previously healthy cats who have gone into renal failure with low calcium and low temperature. They had sickness and went wobbly, they showed signs indicative of being posioned."

The RSPCA added: “We are always concerned to hear about poisoning in pets, and would urge anyone with any information relating to poisoning to contact us on 0300 1234 999.

“Poisoning an animal deliberately is a criminal offence. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, the maximum penalty for those found guilty of this offence is up to six months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £20,000.”