Meat left out in a De Beauvoir park has caused a spate of pet poisonings, according to posters and flyers.
Two cats and a dog may have been poisoned after meat laced with antifreeze was left out in Ufton Gardens to kill foxes.
A Southgate Road resident who regularly walks his dogs through the park said he was “horrified” and would not be walking them there again.
One incident so far has been reported to the RSPCA and the Safer Neighbourhoods Team. Another family was left with a £600 veterinary bill after their pet suffered antifreeze poisoning, according to an Ufton Road resident.
She and two other neighbours claimed a man living on the street has openly confessed to setting out poisoned meat, after he caught foxes eating carp from his pond.
However, PC Stephen Bullock of the Safer Neighbourhoods team, said the reports are “completely unsubstantiated.”
“We’re patrolling the area thoroughly and have not seen any meat,” Bullock said. “I urge anyone who sees any suspicious meat or dead animals to contact us.”
While residents were alerted to the incidents last Wednesday, it is unclear when the first incident affecting a resident’s pet occurred.
“Someone delivering newsletters for me found it and I phoned the RSPCA,” Fiona Darbyshire, of Ufton Road, said. She added that foxes had been an ongoing problem in the area.
Susan Cooksey, of Downham Road, which borders the park, said: “I’m terrified about my two cats, I used to feed the foxes in the park a few years ago when there were only three babies there – other residents did too. However, now there are 12.”
An RSPCA spokesperson said: “Anyone with information that could help the investigation is urged to contact the RSPCA investigation line on 0300 123 8010 quoting incident number 1172/15/10.”
“If anyone suspects that their pet has been poisoned they should seek urgent veterinary advice.”
