Vets issue warning after dogs in Rainworth become ill after eating drug-contaminated human faeces

Dog owners have been warned not to let their pets scavenge in part of Nottinghamshire after increasing numbers fell ill as a result of eating human faeces contaminated with a form of drug. Animal Doctor vet surgery based in Nottingham Road, Ravenshead, has put out the warning on social media after seeing the increase in cases coming to them.

It is understood that the dogs are picking up human faeces, left by someone who has been taking drugs, in the woods near Rainworth bypass and on the playing fields off Little John Drive, also in Rainworth. The ingestion leaves the animals disorientated with head tremors, vomiting and in a panicked state.

The Animal Doctor Facebook message said: "Please be aware we have now had several cases of dogs eating human faeces contaminated with some form of drug. The dogs we have been seeing have been disorientated, showing head tremors, vomiting and in a state of panic.

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"They have all been walking in the woods near Rainworth bypass and on the playing fields off Little John Drive, also in Rainworth. If your dog does scavenge things please keep them on leads in these areas."

The social media post has attracted a lot of comment from do owners in particular. One person said: "We live just off Oak Tree Lane near Mansfield Way and our golden retriever had this happen to her yesterday and your post has helped to understand quickly what it may have been. She is recovering and hoping no lasting impacts.

Another writer asked if the dogs were recovering and Animal Doctor replied: "Fortunately yes so far, thank you for asking."

Several people remarked that humans defecating outdoors was "vile" and someone else added: "I see it all the while being a dog walker - especially near industrial estates if you're walking on any paths behind or near."

Many expressed gratitude that they had been warned about the situation, with one suggesting that the local council or environmental health should be alerted to the situation as it happened before in the same area.

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