A PATNA dog walker said it was like “reading something from a horror story” when she found out that a dog had been rushed to the vet after eating rat poison in the village.

Dog walkers and animal lovers were warned to be on high alert last week after a dog had to be taken to the vet after eating rat poison in Patna.

The poison was laced through cut-up hot dog sausages, that were left along a popular walking trail along the River Doon in the village.

The affected black Labrador had to be taken to the vet after eating some of the meat, which can be seen with a noticeable discolouring in the middle.

The dog’s owner contacted local independent councillor, Drew Filson, who then alerted residents via social media.

In a Facebook post Cllr Filson said: “Rat poison found in cut up hot dog links on river side walk.

“I’ve asked the council enforcement team to sweep this area for any more.

“In the meantime take care.”

One dog walker, whose usual path is along this same route, told the Chronicle: “It was genuinely like something in the pit of my stomach when I was reading that.

“You can be out enjoying a walk along that lovely path, like so many people do every day, and then all of a sudden tragedy can strike like that.

“It beggars belief that somebody has been in the state of mind to think to do something like that.

“I don’t know if they were maybe doing it for another reason or something like that, but it is crazy to think somebody could be as unhinged as that.

“It definitely put the fear into me, and I’d think twice before walking along that path again now”.

An East Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “East Ayrshire Council can confirm that it is aware of this incident and will take all appropriate action, including sweeping the area.

“The council would also urge local dog walkers to keep their dogs on the lead and to be extra vigilant when walking in this area.”