A nursing agency worker has spoken of the heartbreak of losing her pet dog in a suspected rat poisoning incident which is also thought to have claimed the lives of three others.
The four dogs reportedly died within 24 hours of each other after "ingesting rat poison" at two popular walking locations in Swansea.
It is believed that three dogs were affected after visiting Clyne Gardens, with a further case reported after a visit near the Loughor estuary.
Natalie Whitelock, 27, a nursing agency worker from Fforestfach, was out walking her three dogs on Thursday, February 6, near the Loughor Estuary.
"I always keep my dogs on a lead as I'm so worried about losing them. My dogs didn't eat anything on the walk."
By the next day, Natalie's four-year-old miniature schnauzer, Pepper, became unwell.
Dogs don't need to have eaten something potentially lethal directly to fall ill, they can also ingest it by licking it off their paws or fur.
"She was off her food," Natalie said, "but I just thought it was a bug that was going round amongst dogs at the moment. I didn't realise at the time that other people's dogs had been poisoned in the area."
Less than a week after the fateful walk, Pepper had died.
Natalie recalled: "At first, the vets thought that it was an infection, so tried to treat her with antibiotics. The drugs didn't do anything. She was also on fluids, but there wasn't even a little bit of improvement.
"By Sunday she was in renal failure, and by Wednesday her body had completely shut down."
Natalie had a small family of dogs. Pepper has left behind a daughter and a 'companion'.
Natalie said: "This has really damaged my family. My other dog Marley, who was I guess her boyfriend, is grieving, he's gone into a depression, is off his food and is now having to be treated at the vets too.
"My eight-year-old son Kian, doesn't understand and I don't know how to explain it to him. How someone could do something this horrible I don't know."
Not only has Natalie been left with the grief of losing a beloved pet, but also large vet bills.
Natalie had this message for the person or people who are thought to be leaving poison in dog walking areas: "Learn to love a dog yourself and see how much it would hurt you. Go and get a life, these pets are our children.
"The people who have done this are obviously not really dog lovers who have done it."
Swansea Council confirmed its pest control section had not had any involvement in distributing rat poison in these locations.
South Wales Police has warned dog walkers to be vigilant while out with their pets.
If you think someone has been cruel to animals:
A spokesman for the force said: "Police in Swansea were called on Saturday, February 15, concerning reports that several dogs had died from what appears to be ingesting rat poison in the Clyne Park and Loughor estuary area.
"Dog walkers should be vigilant when walking their pets in the area and to report specific concerns to the RSPCA or the local authority."
A spokeswoman for the RSPCA added: "These reports are deeply distressing, and our thoughts are with the owners at this difficult time.
"As ever, we urge anyone looking to report animal welfare concerns to contact our 24-hour advice and cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.
"If an individual fears their pet has been poisoned, it is vital they stay calm, remove the animal from the source of poison, contact their vet immediately, and follow their advice.
"A pet vomiting, expressing a depressed or sleepy demeanour, appearing drunk or uncoordinated, seizures, and breathing difficulties could all be signs of a potential poisoning incident."
