Four dogs die in France after eating poisoned meatballs littered around canine cross-country race

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

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

Police closed the area to the public, but tragically, two more dogs were poisoned after their handler is said to have led them through the barricades.

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

The twisted poisoner is still on the run and is believed to have mixed the poison into the meat while wearing gloves to avoid detection by the police.

The poisonings took place at the French Canicross championship, in which pets and their owners go head-to-head in a long-distance race (file image)

In the first attack last Sunday, four dogs were poisoned during the racing championship, which took place on a long course on the Chemin de Beauvoisin sector.

Three of the four dogs, named Oslo, Palma and Opale, sadly died within minutes of each other after eating the meatballs, according to Free Midi.

Palma’s owner, Yannick, said the northern voice that the three animals fell 15 seconds apart and that her beloved pet had died in her arms.

The fourth dog, a Husky named Togo, was rushed to a veterinary clinic in Montpelier after smelling the poisoned dog’s vomit, and was thankfully saved.

The event was canceled when the full scale of the shocking incident came to light on Sunday morning.

Yannick says his wife “saved dozens of dogs” as the horror unfolded, warning other racers arriving at the event not to get out of their cars.

At the site, police are said to have recovered the remains of pellets vomited up by the dogs.

The poison had been cruelly mixed into dumplings and tests have been done ever since.

DNA analysis of the recovered venom has been carried out in a specialized laboratory in Lyon since Thursday.

Investigators do not have much hope of identifying the perpetrator through 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 of each other after eating the poisoned meatballs.

Investigations are still ongoing, with detectives reviewing hours of CCTV footage to identify any suspicious activity.

“All the videos from the city cameras are being analyzed, it is a huge job because you have to analyze them one by one to identify a possible suspicious vehicle,” they said in a statement (roughly translated).

The area has since been cordoned off, but on Tuesday, according to investigators, “a resident went to walk his dogs at the site, despite the many prohibitory signs posted at the site.” One of the pets did not survive.

If found, the Nîmes public prosecutor’s office would charge the perpetrator with acts of cruelty to animals, meaning he could face up to five years in prison and 75,000 euros in fines, according to France 3.

The canine sports group the Fédération des Sports et Loisirs Canins (FSLC) condemned the attack as “an heinous criminal act” that had left the team “traumatized”.

The groups’ vets, who were on the scene and fought desperately to save the lives of the three dogs, had felt “powerless in the face of human cruelty”, he said.

Its vice-president, Émilie Nelson, has claimed that ‘a dozen’ meatballs were discovered in the park containing ‘black beans’.

It has not yet been possible to determine what the poisonous substance was, but the analysis of the samples continues.

Ms Nelson described the day as “a nightmare” and said the attack on the dogs was “extreme violence” which could have also injured the children.

Federation president Yvon Lasbleiz called the incident a “hateful act” and paid tribute to the deceased hunting dogs.

‘Oslo, Palma and Opale, their owners have lost unconditional love, a companion who gave them comfort, security and shared a common passion.

Togo the Husky was saved by vets. Investigators desperately search for the perpetrator of the heinous act.

You had become an integral part of his family. We know how much they will miss you, the love they had for you; We understand your pain very well.

‘May the good memories give a little comfort and peace to those who shared your life.’

The Canicross race on Sunday was a qualifying round for the German world championship in October.

This sport involves runners leading their trained dogs on long courses and has become increasingly popular in France in recent years, both in competitive and club settings.