Four dogs die in France after eating poisoned meatballs scattered around dog cross-country race

Four dogs die after eating poisoned meatballs at Southern cross-country event France What the authorities described as “disgusting behavior”.

Three of the dogs died last Sunday before the start of the popular canicross race in Vaubert.

Police have closed the area to the public, but tragically, two more dogs were poisoned after pedestrians allegedly drove through the barricades.

One of our pets died Tuesday, bringing the total death toll in this horrifying tale to four.

The twisted poisoner is still on the run, and is believed to have mixed the poison into his meat while wearing gloves to avoid detection by police.

Poisoning occurred at the French Canicross Championship, where pets and their owners go head-to-head in long-distance running (stock image)

In the first attack last Sunday, four dogs were poisoned during a racing championship held on a fixed course in the Chemin-de-Beauvoisin sector.

Sadly, three of the four dogs, named Oslo, Parma and Opare, died within 15 minutes of each other after eating the meatballs. midi libre.

A fourth dog, a husky named Togo, was taken to a veterinary hospital in Montpelier after smelling poisoned dog vomit and was thankfully saved.

The event was canceled due to the shocking details of the incident.

At the scene, the remains of pellets vomited by the dog are said to have been recovered by police.

The poison had been brutally mixed into the meatballs, which were then tested.

DNA analysis of the recovered toxin has been underway since Thursday at a specialized laboratory in Lyon.

Investigators have little chance of identifying the culprit this way. France 3 The poisoner was probably wearing gloves, local reports.

Three beloved dogs named Oslo, Parma and Opare sadly died within 15 minutes of each other after eating poisoned meatballs.

The investigation is still ongoing, with detectives combing through hours of CCTV footage to identify suspicious activity.

“All videos from city cameras have been analyzed. (roughly translated).

The area has since been cordoned off, but investigators said on Tuesday that “a resident walked his dog in the area, even though there were many prohibition signs in place”. one did not survive.

If found, the Nimes Public Prosecutor’s Office could charge the perpetrator with cruelty to animals, punishing him with up to five years in prison and a fine of €75,000, according to France 3.

Husky dog ​​Togo was rescued by a veterinarian.Investigators are desperately trying to find the perpetrators of heinous acts

The canine sports organization la Fédération des Sports et Loisirs Canins (FSLC) condemned the attack as a “gross criminal act” that “traumatized” the team.

A group veterinarian who was at the scene and fought desperately to save the lives of the three dogs said they were “helpless in the face of human cruelty.”

Its vice president, Emily Nelson, claimed that “a dozen” meatballs containing “black grains” were found at the park.

The nature of the poison has not yet been confirmed, but samples continue to be analyzed.

Describing the day as “a nightmare,” Nelson said attacks on dogs were “extremely violent” and could harm children.

Federation president Yvon Rathblaze called the incident a “disgusting act” and paid tribute to the deceased sporting dog.

“Oslo, Palma, Opare, your owners have lost their unconditional love, companions who provided comfort and security and shared a common passion.

“You became an integral part of their family. We know how much they miss you and the love they had for you. We understand their pain all too well.” doing.

“May good memories bring comfort and peace to those who shared your life.”

Sunday’s canicross race was the qualifying round for the German World Championships in October.

The sport, in which runners run around long courses with trained dogs, has become increasingly popular in France in recent years, both on competitive grounds and in clubs.