Four dogs die after eating poisoned meatballs during cross-country race
More than 50 poisoned meatballs were found at the race site, according to reports
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Four dogs have died after poisoned meatballs were spread across a cross-country racing site, French authorities say.
Police in the south of France are investigating several poisonings from laced meats affecting multiple pets in the town of Vauvert – near Montpellier, which occurred last Sunday.
It is believed the perpetrator struck during the Canicross cross-country racing event for dogs and their owners. The event sees dogs race attached to their owners, who may be cycling or running alongside their pets.
Three dogs started convulsing and vomiting, and died within 15 minutes of eating the meatballs, according to the New York Times.
The event was cancelled, and the site was closed off immediately following the incident. A search of the race site found more than 50 meatballs laced with enough poison to kill a dog instantly.
“They were just suffocating with all the foam and everything,” Federation of Canine Sports and Leisure veterinarian Bérengère Poletti, who organized the event, told the Times.
“I don’t know who did this, what are the reasons, but it’s just horrible.”
By Tuesday, some dog owners continued to walk the route, despite warnings from authorities to avoid the area, according to France 3. Two more dogs were poisoned, and another died, with the total number of dogs dying from the poison-laced meatballs rising to four.
Authorities sent DNA from deceased dogs to a lab in Lyon to determine the poison used in the incident, as well as reviewing CCTV footage from around the area.
The Canicross race last Sunday was a qualifying round for the German world championships, which were scheduled to take place in October.
The sport involves runners leading their trained dogs around lengthy courses and has become increasingly popular in France in recent years, both in competitive and club settings.
Police believe the culprit used gloves to mix the poison, in a bid to limit forensic evidence. If convicted, the offender would be charged with acts of cruelty and could face a €75,000 (£66,000) fine and five years in prison, according to France 3.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments