A dog owner has slammed the “abominable” behaviour of people who left rat poison wrapped in dough in her garden.

East Anglian Daily Times: Jacqueline Collins' 11 month-old Chihuahua Toby was been targeted with rat poison dropped into their Colchester garden.Jacqueline Collins' 11 month-old Chihuahua Toby was been targeted with rat poison dropped into their Colchester garden.

Jacqueline Collins, of Stalin Road, Colchester, was shocked to discover around 30 pellets on Monday evening when she let her chihuahua Toby out at the rear of her home.

It is the second such incident prompting Mrs Collins, 70, to fear she is being deliberately targeted.

Last year Toby, who is only a year old, was sick and capsules were discovered in her garden. Mrs Collins said a neighbour, also a dog owner, had experienced the same issues.

“Luckily I saw these before Toby ate them, otherwise it would have killed him ,” Mrs Collins said.

“At first we didn’t know what they were, but it looks like they are advertising them for dogs by putting them in the dough.

“This has been going on for about six months now.

“I have bought a muzzle for him because I can’t always see what is out there in the night or early hours of the morning.

“It makes me feel very insecure. I want to know why.

“If they have a problem with the dog come and see me, I’m approachable. He only goes out there to do his business so I don’t know why anyone would do this.

“It’s abominable behaviour.”

Police and the RSPCA have been called in to investigate the incidents, and Mrs Collins said she had been advised to install CCTV at her home.

It is illegal to put out rat poison where any animal other than rats can be harmed by it and anyone convicted of deliberately poisoning faces up to six months in prison and a fine of up to £20,000 under the Animal Welfare Act.

Adam Jones, RSPCA inspector, said: “Fortunately the dog is OK, but it is very distressing to think it appears someone is trying to poison a pet. I urge anyone with any information to call me.

“The dog’s owner found about 30 balls of dough with blue pellets mixed into them in her garden. She did exactly the right thing and took them to the vet who examined them and believes it is rat poison.

“Poisoning can cause severe pain and distress. Bait left out in the open like this could also kill pet cats and wildlife.”

If you are concerned that your pet may have been poisoned please contact your vet immediately.

If anyone has seen anything suspicious they can call the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018 and leave a message for inspector Adam Jones.