By Nikki Jarvis

nikki.jarvis@essnmedia.co.uk

HEARTBROKEN owners have been left devastated after their beloved pets were killed by eating poisoned meat at a popular spot for dog-walkers.

At least three dogs and a cat have died after eating the lethal scraps – believed to have been left for foxes - around Addington Vale, New Addington.

People have walked their dogs on the grassland for years – but now a warning is being sent out advising them to keep away from the area.

David Jurgen, from nearby Windham Avenue, “lost a member of his family” when his rottweiler, Brandy, died after eating a piece of the meat.

The 42-year-old said: “Brandy was normal and playful before we went out and when we got to the Vale she started eating something.

“I told her to stop but it was too late.

“She started feeling sick and wouldn’t eat anything – we rushed her to the vet but they didn’t know what was wrong so we took her to another in London.

“She was in total agony and they said she had major organ failure – she died the next morning.

“She was really a part of my family.

“I’ve had dogs since I was two and this is the most tragic way I’ve ever lost one."

David’s grandson Devonte is just three years old and is lost without the family pet.

“We told him Brandy had gone up to the sky and she was a star now”, David said.

“He said he would turn into Superman and fly up to get her.

“I have another dog, a Labrador called Rex, and when people see me with her they warn me not to go the Vale – but I’ve already learnt the hard way.”

David’s neighbour Ann White, 71, hopes fellow dog-owners will heed the warning.

She said: “I used to take my dogs, Pablo and Mischief, down there every day but now I’m never going there again.

“The community warden was out there the other day warning people not to take their pets there too.

“I think it’s people trying to poison foxes but even that’s wrong – they have as much right to be here as we do.

“It’s even worse to know how terribly the poison makes animals suffer.”

Jill Gardener, branch manager for the New Addington RSPCA clinic, said: “This is totally inhumane and if we found out who was doing it they could be prosecuted.

“Any meat-eating wildlife could pick this up and I imagine it’s a very painful death for these animals – I’m completely appalled.”

*Have you lost a pet because they have eaten the poisoned meat? If so call the newsdesk on 020 8760 7616.