A MYSTERY ‘illness’ has struck dogs living on the same street in Kendal, sparking fear among residents.

Pet owners on Hallgarth have become increasingly alarmed as more and more dogs have become ‘seriously ill’ in the Kettlewell Road area and have been displaying similar symptoms including tumours and bleeding.

According to a Hallgarth resident and the MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale Tim Farron, some dogs have died or have had to be put down.

It is still not known what is causing the dogs to become ill although Cumbria County Council councillor for Kendal Strickland and Fell Peter Thornton said there had been suggestions that it could be related to rat poison.

“Clearly the dogs are finding something somewhere that is causing these problems,” he said.

“There have been suggestions that it is to do with some rats in the area that people are trying to put poison down for but I don’t think anyone’s established that link.

“People are asking questions where can I exercise my dog safely?

“It’s very difficult to give an answer to that without knowing what the cause of this is.

“I think most people are aware of this issue now so if anybody has inadvertently been putting rat poison out in an unsafe way I hope that they would not be doing that.

“The hope is that the problem decreases.”

Cumbria Police said it is aware of concerns and its local PCSO has advised anyone to relay any information and concerns to the RSPCA and South Lakeland District Council (SLDC).

It is understood that SLDC is ready to assist if the cause of the illness comes to light.

A police spokesman said: “We are aware of concerns in the Hallgarth area of Kendal about issues which may be affecting the health of dogs.

“Our local PCSO has engaged with some dog walkers while out on patrol and advised anyone with concerns to relay them to partners such as the RSPCA and South Lakeland District Council, who may be best placed to address their concerns.

“We have also made contact with partners to pass on these concerns so they too are aware and they can be addressed appropriately.”

Residents held a meeting to discuss the matter and raise concerns.

Mr Farron has been in contact with residents since the meeting and has asked them to provide him with details of the vets who have treated affected animals.

“There’s been at least two deaths of animals, maybe more, and around four where there’s been serious illness,” he said.

“We need to find out if these are the same conditions, have these animals ingested something contaminated that has led to internal bleeding?

“Either way it’s deeply worrying and massively distressing for the families and worrying for anyone else who has a pet in that community.

“All in one street as well.

“I’ve asked the police to look into it and I’ve also been trying to get the vets who treated some of the animals to give us a sense of what they think-are these linked? Is it a coincidence? What kind of thing could have triggered the conditions we’ve got here?

“This could be an issue for DEFRA, this is an animal health matter and if we’re talking about a substance somewhere that animals are eating that is making them ill and, in some cases, leading to fatalities, then there needs to be an immediate investigation.

“It’s right to be really really vigilant about this.”