A devastated family were forced to put down their one-year-old dog who ate rat poison while at a wood.

Young border terrier Roxy had to be put to sleep after a walk at Cromer’s Woods in Sittingbourne on Easter Sunday.

Owner Shannelle Ennels, of London Road, took her to the PDSA the following day after she was lethargic, couldn’t stand and began to bleed, but was told there was nothing vets could do.

The 23-year-old explained Roxy was her son’s first dog and her death has left him heartbroken.

Shannelle said: “Roxy must have eaten something, we think it was a sausage roll, and she became really poorly really quick and began bleeding.

“The vets told us it was definitely rat poison, they tried some medication but it didn’t work.

“We’re all so gutted over it, especially my little boy who’s so heartbroken, he keeps asking where Roxy is.

“Roxy was best friends with my other dog Raven and even had a new pup of her own, she was a big part of the family.”

The Sittingbourne mum has hit out at the state of Cromer’s Woods, with bags of rubbish and litter left by visitors, and vowed never to return.

She said: “It’s left us all devastated and makes us feel worse with all the rubbish. I won’t be returning there. It’s horrible to think about going there now as everything doesn’t feel right without her.”

Cromer’s Woods is a 28 hectare piece of land owned and run by Kent Wildlife Trust.

Kent Wildlife Trust area manager Stephen Weeks said: “This is so very sad. We urge anyone with any information of crime or suspected crime to please contact the police.

“We also encourage owners to please keep dogs on leads, especially on reserves and at this time of year with birds nesting. Kent Wildlife Trust never uses poisons on its reserves.”

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