A dog died moments after eating poisoned chicken in a public park.

Border collie Lucy went for her daily walk with her owner's grandad but did not come home alive after collapsing within minutes of consuming the infected food in Gillingham Park, Canterbury Street, Gillingham.

Devastated owner Calum Mcshane, who lives opposite the park, said: "She died in her favourite place with her favourite person."

Lucy, who was 12 years old, had gone out with Calum's grandad, Methven, when he noticed her eating something.

Calum said: "She isn't normally one for eating stuff she sees on the floor. My grandad went to take it away but she had finished it before he could grab it. Within minutes she was standing next to my grandad. Then he said she started to go hazy and just dropped to the ground."

Calum said his grandad looked to see if there was anything still in her mouth while another dog walker rushed over to offer help, but Lucy had already passed away.

"My grandad rang me and I came straight over, but she was already gone. We had to carry her home. We also picked up the remains of what she had eaten to get it tested."

The coach driver, 23, said Lucy's death has left a massive hole in the family.

"We are devastated. My grandad lives with us and he is distraught. She was his best friend. She was the first person he would see when he woke up and the last person he would see before going to sleep.

"They were always together. She used to sit with him for cuddles all the time."

Lucy had been part of the family since they adopted her from their neighbours as a puppy.

Calum said: "We have a bird and we used to find her sitting at the end of the cage all the time, just watching it. She used to bark when it chirped. And she loved playing football in the garden"

Now Calum wants to warn other dog owners.

He said: "It's not the first time this has happened. I want to make as many people aware as possible and tell them to be extra vigilant."

Natasha McPhee, who runs Animals Lost and Found in Kent, said: "I feel so sorry for the family and particularly the elderly gentleman who must be feeling so awful. Unfortunately, we can't wrap our pets up in cotton wool, as much as we would like to. There was nothing he could have done."

She added: "The food the dog ate was chicken that had poison in it. The poison was strong enough to kill the dog on site, not long after ingesting this. And she was a big dog, so it must have been strong poison. She passed away whilst still in the park."

Natasha admitted this is not an unique occurrence.

She said: "There have been several reports of food being laced with chemicals or poison in this area before. All of these reports have been sent to the relevant authorities.

"Using poison in food is not an ethical or humane way to get rid of rats, mice or any little creature. Not only will they eat this sort of thing but cats, and in this case, a dog will too. Also, young children visit this area. What if a child was to fall on this and put their hand in their mouth?"

There have been several similar incidents in other parts of Kent in recent years.

In 2021, pet owners in Loose were urged to be careful after a dog was injured by meat allegedly spiked with poison and nails.

And last year a popular country park near Gravesend was inspected after dogs fell ill due to possible contact with rat poison.

Animals Lost and Found has issued a warning to pet owners to be extra vigilant in public spaces.

Natasha said: "Please be careful when you are walking your animals. The remaining food stuffs have been removed for now and investigations will be under way as to who and why.

"If you see any discarded food whilst on your walk with your dog please, if you can, carefully remove the food using a dog waste bag and place it in a bin.

"You can't be too careful with poisoned or spoiled food outside whilst walking your babies."