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Dog owners are being told to exercise "extreme caution" after a number of animals became seriously ill after visiting a popular park.

It follows the appearance of a warning notice at the park's entrance, cautioning dog walkers about reports of food laced with "poison" being left scattered around. Police have confirmed that a number of animals have fallen unwell after visiting Cowick Barton Playing Fields in Exeter, Devon.

One dog is reported to have died, with two others reportedly unwell. Four foxes are also said to have been found dead after visiting the recreational area, DevonLive are reporting. It comes after a dead body is found in 'underground ancient cave' in popular UK beauty spot.

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The notice stated: "1 dog dead, 2 dogs sick, 4 foxes dead. Reports of poisoned food in Barton Fields. This is illegal. If your dog or cat ingests poison take to vet asap to induce vomiting." The cause of the illness remains unclear, though residents are being advised to maintain heightened awareness when bringing their pets to the park.

Exeter Police posted a statement on social media and it read: "We have received reports of a couple of animals who have sadly become unwell since visiting Cowick Barton Playing Fields and we wanted to warn people who may be visiting the area to be extra vigilant with their pets.

"At this time we are unsure what has caused the animals to become unwell and we are unsure if the incidents are linked together, but please be assured we are looking into this.

"If you have any information which may assist us with this, please contact us on the telephone by calling 101 or using our online reporting form, quoting occurrence 50250208201. Our online reporting form can be found here.

Should you need to report the passing of a wild creature and request its safe removal, please get in touch with Exeter City Council.

It comes after a family has issued a warning to dog owners after their beloved pet died from suspected cannabis poisoning last month. Cecilia and Dave Coutts were left devastated when their dog Tessa died after they went on a regular walk in the woods in the Gramps in Kincorth, Scotland.

Cecilia said she was at work when her husband Dave rang in a panic having found their eight-year-old black labrador collapsed in the garden on July 16. Dave and Cecilia rushed Tessa to the vets after it was clear she could not walk and was disorientated.

“Davie took Tessa for a walk at the Gramps (Kincorth Hill Local Nature Reserve) around midday,” said Cecilia, 56. “He noticed that she was eating something at one point so he told her to drop it and she came running straight over to him.

"He checked her over and she seemed to be fine so they carried on as normal and went home. A few hours later he let her out into the garden and when he went to check on her she was collapsed. Tessa couldn't use her back legs and we had to carry to the car. It was awful.”

Tessa’s condition continued to deteriorate as she was carried into the vets by a nurse. After an assessment and tests, the vet suspected she had eaten marijuana and it was decided Tessa would have to be monitored overnight at an emergency vet hospital.