A serial dog killer who appears to be targeting British pet-lovers is being hunted on Spain’s Costa del Sol.
Six animals died in agony from poisoning last week, bringing the known total over two years around Marbella to 21.
One Brit, whose Yorkshire terrier is among those who died, said: “No dog is safe.”
Fifteen perished after walking in and around a children’s playground in the picturesque town of La Campana.
Another six have died five miles away at an idyllic spot called Lake Istan.
British film writer and director Piers Ashworth, who co-wrote the new hit comedy Fisherman’s Friends, regularly walks his dog round the lake.
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Clutching his four-year-old English bull terrier Trevor, London-born Piers, 60, said: “It’s affecting us all. We don’t know who is next.
“It’s pretty horrifying and weird that someone random is deliberately doing this.”
Anthony Mackie, 57, originally from Wakefield, West Yorks, said: “We are living in fear for our pets.”
It is thought the dogs were killed by a fast-acting poison hidden in meat treats – raising fears of a serial killer.
Some fearful Brits even claim the culprit has a vendetta against them
rather than Spaniards.
National police are now investigating. Expats have protested in the streets, insisting more needs to be done to find the sick killer.
Dance teacher Philip Rawlings, who moved to Marbella from Manchester two years ago, saw his beagle Ruby poisoned last year.
Philip, 37, said: “It was terrifying. Ruby suddenly started walking funny then vomited and had diarrhoea.
“In a few minutes she went limp and frothed at the mouth.”
Luckily, two-year-old Ruby was poisoned on a road close to a vet’s and survived.
Philip said: “She had to have an adrenaline shot to restart her heart. She wasn’t allowed home for over a week.
“She’s the one that got away. I know she’s had a lucky escape but it has destroyed her health.
“She’s going to have problems for life because of that monster.”
A British businessman who lost his Yorkshire terrier is so devastated he won’t be named.
His pooch died just minutes after eating something at the children’s playground.
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He said: “I rushed him to the hospital after he began having convulsions but it was too late. This is a very sick stunt.”
A bag of meat found near Lake Istan could be a crucial clue. Forensic experts have been drafted in to investigate.
The area surrounding it was this week adorned with police tape.
A local vet said that all the dogs had suffered the same reaction before dying.
He said: “After their walk, they began to pass out before they got home, they foamed from the mouth and they ended up dying.”
Autopsies have shown they died of an unidentified poison.
And it’s not just Brits being targeted. Swedish expat Lars Walkler and American Livia Taravella are the latest to lose pets.
Lars, 40, said: “My beloved Laila became the sixth victim of some evil person’s idea to spread pieces of poisoned meat along the lake.
“My dog died in 15 minutes. Whoever is responsible needs to be put behind bars for a long time.”
And grieving mum-of-one Livia, 39, whose puppy Skye became the fourth pet to be poisoned, said: “Almost immediately her eyes began looking very droopy, she lost her balance and almost fell into the lake.
“Just a quarter of an hour later she was dead.” Local dog whisperer Gerry said: “We are all terrified.
“Police have taken samples from around the area but we still don’t know what’s behind this.
“I think it is evil. Who is this person?”
Louie Kern, 28, from South London, who has dachshund Elsie, said: “I’m so scared she’s going to be the next.
“The first thing that came to mind when I heard about the killings was the Croydon cat killer.
“But this is the Marbella dog poisoner.”
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Angry expats demonstrated in a Marbella church square to demand more action.
Councillor Carlos Alcala said: “Civil Guard and National Police are investigating with the aim of arresting as soon as possible the person responsible.”
Charity boss Jan Weima, 73, who runs the Triple A animal shelter which is funded by Brit expats, said: “Brits are the biggest animal lovers so they will be the most scared.
“There could be a madman on the loose.”
