Four dogs die in France after eating poisoned meatballs strewn at dog cross-country races

Four dogs have died after eating poisoned meatballs at a cross-country event in southern France, in what authorities described as a “heinous act”.

Three of the dogs died before the start of the popular canicross race in Vauvert last Sunday, in which the pets and their owners compete in a long-distance run.

Police closed the area to the public, but tragically two other dogs have since been poisoned after their walker allegedly led them through the barricades.

One of the pets died on Tuesday, bringing the total number of deaths in the gritty saga to four.

The twisted poisoner is still at large and is said to have mixed the poison into the meat while wearing gloves to avoid detection by the police.

A husky named Togo (pictured) was taken to a veterinary clinic in Montpelier after sniffing the poisoned dog’s vomit and luckily was rescued

The poisonings happened at the French Canicross Championship, where pets and their owners compete in a long-distance run (stock image)

In the first attack last Sunday, four dogs were poisoned during the racing championship, which was taking place on a vast track in the Chemin de Beauvoisin sector.

Sadly, three of the four puppies, named Oslo, Palma and Opale, died within 15 minutes of eating the meatballs, according to Midi Libre.

The fourth dog, a husky named Togo, was taken to a veterinary clinic in Montpelier after sniffing the poisoned dog’s vomit and luckily was rescued.

The event was canceled when the full extent of the shocking incident became known.

The remains of pellets vomited up by the dogs are said to have been seized by the police on the premises.

The poison had been cruelly mixed with meatballs, and tests have been conducted ever since.

A DNA analysis of the recovered poison has been taking place in a special laboratory in Lyon since Thursday.

Investigators don’t have high hopes of identifying the perpetrator using this method, France 3 Regions reports, as the poisoner was likely wearing gloves.

Three beloved dogs named Oslo, Palma and Opale sadly died within 15 minutes after eating the poisoned meatballs

Togo the Husky was rescued by vets. The investigators are desperately looking for the perpetrator of the heinous act

The investigation is ongoing and investigators are combing through hours of CCTV footage to identify suspicious activity.

“All the videos from the city’s cameras are being analyzed, it’s a huge job because they have to be analyzed one by one to identify a possible suspicious vehicle,” the statement said.

The area has since been cordoned off, but on Tuesday, investigators said, “a local resident walked their dogs in the spot, despite the many prohibition signs posted at the spot.” One of the pets did not survive.

If found, Nîmes prosecutors would charge the perpetrator with animal cruelty, meaning he could face up to five years in prison and a €75,000 fine, according to France 3.

Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk