A SEVEN-MONTH-OLD puppy has died in Slimbridge in yet another case of apparent poisoning – and the owner is now urging more people to come forward with their stories.

A family were left saddened after their dog, Ollie, died less than a week after becoming ill during a walk through a field with owner Marie McNally.

The news comes shortly after Natasha Townsend, of Cam, told the story of her nine-month-old cocker spaniel Buddy, who died in similar circumstances just six hours after becoming ill during a walk across fields in the area.

Ollie was taken for a walk on fields near the McNally family home in Gossington, Slimbridge, on May 26, this year. Mrs McNally explained the events leading up to her dog’s death.

“We went up to the field and all of our dogs were running around and sniffing about. Then the following morning Ollie started being sick,” she said.

“It got to the stage where he couldn’t even stand up so we took him to the vets, who kept him a couple of days.

“He was sent back home a few days later and told he was doing a lot better. He died the following day at three o’clock in the morning.

“He was sicking up blood and frothing from the mouth. It was absolutely horrendous.”

Mrs McNally believes there is more at play than a simple case of dogs eating something funny they find on the ground.

She said: “He died in the same way a rat would if they were given rat poison.

“A lot of people have dogs that have died in a similar way but they’re frightened to come forward as they don’t want to cause upset.

“If people have been affected by anything like this they need to come forward and tell their story, even if their dog just showed signs of sickness or was throwing up blood.

“Personally we’re scared to go out with our dogs now. We don’t know where to take them.”

Slimbridge Parish Council have said they have received no reports of incidents of this nature.

Similarly, Gloucestershire Police found nothing relating to cases of potential animal poisoning on their logs.

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: "A number of mystery illnesses have been reported in late autumn. Symptoms include severe vomiting, diarrhoea, shaking, trembling and high temperatures, and have generally been displayed within 24 hours of walking in the countryside, especially woodland. The cause of this is unknown.

"The RSPCA has teamed up with the Veterinary Poisons Information Service to offer detailed information and advice on common poisons for different species, what to do if you suspect your pet has been poisoned, and how to avoid the problem in the first place."

Owners can find out more by visiting www.rspca.org.uk/poisoning.