POLICE in west Wiltshire have warned dog owners to keep a careful watch on their pets while out walking.

The warning comes after at least two dogs had to be rushed to the vets after picking up toxic substances near Atworth.

Melksham Police said: "At least two dogs have picked up some substance which has proved to be toxic to them whilst being walked in fields local to Atworth.

"I would therefore advise that dog owners keep their dog on the lead and on the public footpaths until the source of the toxin is identified and dealt with."

One dog owner from the Atworth area said: "My puppy was the same after his walk. He was throwing up non-stop and had lots of diarrhoea!

"He was so poorly his back legs went and he couldn’t stand up. He went to the vets and was given medication."

Another dog owner in Beanacre added: "My dog has had a severe allergic reaction to something in Beanacre this week too.

"No idea if it's related but he has been very poorly and the vets thought he had come in to contact with something toxic too."

In Westbury, a dog owner who did not wish to be named, said her two dogs had also suffered a severe reaction to toxic substances.

The 25-year-old mother of two said: "I had been walking my dogs on the White Horse and at Westbury Park.

"I had to rush them to the emergency vets at Harris & Hill in Trowbridge after they were suddenly taken ill.

"My French bulldog was poorly and was sick, while my pug went all stiff and fell to one side."

She reported that the vets had told her the blood clot counts on both pets was low. The two dogs were kept in overnight for observation and further treatment.

Meanwhile, there is evidence that the deadly dog disease Alabama rot is back in Wiltshire with one case of the illness being reported in Malmesbury.

The disease is rare but can be fatal to dogs as it damages their blood vessels and can cause kidney failure.

The latest report of Alabama rot in Malmesbury has been confirmed by vet specialists Anderson Moores, who say there have 23 reports so far this year.

David Walker, an expert on the condition, said: “We are sad to announce more cases from 2019, as we are now in the time of year when cases are most common.

“Further confirmed cases mean it is understandably very worrying for dog owners.

"However, this disease is still very rare, so we’re advising dog owners to remain calm but vigilant, and seek advice from their local vet if their dog develops unexplained skin lesions.”

In October, a dog in Westbury died from Alabama rot which brought the national number of cases to 16 for the year. Another died in Malmesbury in early 2018.