A man has sent a warning to fellow pet owners after the death of his dog.

The 17-month-old bulldog, Frank, died after allegedly eating food laced with rat poison in a Ramsgate park.

Owner John Dunsford was walking Frank and his other bulldog, Harry, in King George VI Memorial Park.

Both dogs began to eat food left in the park, which Mr Dunsford described as looking like a “discarded picnic”.

Mr Dunsford, who lives in Dumpton, said: “I started to realise they were ill about four or five days after they had eaten the food.

“They were very lethargic, but I put it down to the heat because they are bulldogs.

“On the Monday after the weekend I took them to the vet because I wasn’t happy with how they were.

“The vets treated them for a virus because they both had the same issues.

"I am just devastated. People need to stop doing this. Frank went through a terrible death..." - Owner John Dunsford

“However, I had to take them back two days later because they were urinating blood.”

The pair ate the food on Friday July 22, and were treated for poisoning after their second trip to the vets.

Mr Dunsford thanked George at Eagle Vets, Minster, for working so well with his two bulldogs.

He added: “Frank unfortunately died from a bleed on the brain but they managed to save Harry, which is some consolation.

“I am just devastated. They were such fit and healthy dogs and I had them since they were eight weeks old.

“I would like to warn other dog walkers to be vigilant so they don’t have to go through something like this.

“People need to stop doing this. Frank went through a terrible death.”

RSPCA spokesman Amy De-Keyzer said: “It’s very upsetting to hear that a dog has died after eating something in a park in Ramsgate.

“The RSPCA would be very concerned to hear that poisoned meat may have been put out deliberately.

“Although this incident doesn’t seem to have been reported to us, we would urge anyone with any information to get in touch by calling our 24-hour emergency line on 0300 1234 999.”