A pub landlady is warning others after her dog was among several pets to fall victim to suspected poisoning.

Debbie Pettit’s eight-year-old pooch Mavis suffered from diarrhoea, vomiting and mobility issues almost immediately after going into a bush at Borden Nature Reserve, near Sittingbourne, on Thursday, May 11.

At least two other dogs experienced symptoms consistent with poisoning after visiting the Cryalls Lane site that week.

Mrs Pettit, who runs the White Horse, in Charlotte Street, Sittingbourne, says her other bulldog, Mable, did not go into the same area and showed no ill effects.

Symptoms of dog poisoning include vomitting, diarrhoea, seizures and muscle tremors.

The 59-year-old says Mavis looks set to make a full recovery despite not eating for about 48 hours after the walk.

She explained: "I think this is something which is becoming quite serious.

"I took my two bulldogs to Borden Nature Reserve, and one of them, Mavis, went into a bush and didn't come out for two minutes.

"Later that night, she wasn't well at all and was sick and had diarrhoea and then the next morning she could barely walk as she was off balance, trembling and shivering.

“She then threw up again but in an even bigger amount, even though there wasn't any food either in her bile.

"She was also really lethargic and walking at a tortoise pace in the days afterwards.

"My sister's friend went over to the same place earlier in the day and ended up being poorly too with similar symptoms, and my sister's dog herself had a bit of diarrhoea after also coming back.”

Animal poisonings are becoming more common throughout the county, with at least four deadly incidents reported this year.

In February, a dog died after eating poisoned chicken at a park in Gillingham, while four foxes were found dead in Newington, near Sittingbourne, and appeared to have been victims of poisoning.

Another dog was killed after digesting rat poison in Rainham last month – just two weeks after a Labrador in Margate succumbed to a potential cyanide inhalation.

Mrs Pettit is calling for greater penalties for those found guilty of putting poison down.

She said: "These people who put poisoned meat down, in public places, should be heavily fined, named and shamed.

“As dog walkers we should be vigilant of what our animals are picking up to eat, but it isn’t always possible to see in the undergrowth.

"Thankfully Mavis is better now, but it has taken a number of days for her to get like that.

“It was very upsetting to see her so poorly.”

Natasha McPhee, head of Animals Lost and Found in Kent, admits such events are becoming more frequent.

She said: “Unfortunately, there seems to be a growing problem with dogs and animals being poisoned.

“We aren't sure why things have escalated or why it's being done in the first place.

“Placing poison down causes issues not only with wildlife but with pets, and it can also potentially cause issues with humans too.

“I’m extremely concerned as to what poison is being used seeing as one case was a large breed dog who died at the scene very quickly.

“We’ve had a few reports that people have found meat laced with nails in the past too, so it's really upsetting.”