A heartbroken dog owner has warned against the dangers of slug pellets after her beloved pet died.

Gloria Bradley, of Kents Hill Road North, Benfleet, bought Bio Slug Mini Pellets made by Home and Garden Ltd thinking they wouldn't cause any harm to domestic animals.

However, the 47-year-old's six-year-old English bull terrier, Jodie, accidentally ate some and was dead within 24 hours.

The pellet company yesterday (Tuesday) said it was waiting for the cause of the dog's death to be established.

Mrs Bradley, who bought the pellets a month ago, said: "On the front of the packaging it says this product contains metadehyde. I've since found out this is a poison.

"The container said the product contained an animal repellent which reduced the attraction to domestic animals, so my husband, Mark and I thought it would be all right."

The Bradleys put the slug pellets in the garden but by the next afternoon Jodie was acting strangely.

She said: "She seemed nervous and was running in and out of her kennel. I tried giving her a biscuit which she wouldn't eat and when I looked into her mouth I noticed the slug pellets in her gums."

The Bradley's rushed Jodie to the vet where she had her stomach pumped - but it was too late.

Mrs Bradley said: "We feel absolutely terrible and so guilty. It was an accident but Jodie was more than just a pet, she was our baby. I am urging people to read the labels carefully so nothing like this happens to them."

A spokesman for Bio Slug Mini Pellets said: "It is sad to learn of the death of any dog and we have been in contact with the owner and her vet.

"Our immediate role is to ascertain the precise cause of the animal's death.

"If it is proved to be metaldehyde poisoning we need to establish how this dog could have eaten enough pellets to cause it harm.

"Metaldehyde, the active ingredient used in the product, has an excellent safety record with all non-target species when the product is used in accordance with manufacturers instructions."

Shock - Gloria Bradley studies a picture of her dead dog Jodie

Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

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