Derbyshire Constabulary are warning dog-walkers to be careful as they investigate suspected wildlife poisoning in a Derbyshire woodland.
Two dogs are reported to have become ill after visiting Swinepark Wood at Lea, near Matlock and the police say this may be related.
The police have posted warning signs at entry points to the woods:
There doesn’t appear to be any further information about the type of poison suspected to be in use or whether any wildlife has been affected but the fact that the police have been proactive in issuing these warnings about the risk to public and pet safety is a welcome move from a police force who have previously been criticised for their attitude towards raptor poisoning incidents (e.g. see here and here).
Well done, Derbyshire Constabulary’s Rural Crime Team.
Raptor Persecution UK 
This is excellent action by this force. Far too many incidents of possible poisoning do not result in posted warnings to the public. I hope that this is an omen of a more responsible police force, hopefully to be copied.
EXCELLENT ……….. warning notices should ALWAYS be posted immediately the use of poison is suspected. That is priority number one even if it hinders apprehension of a criminal.
With the use of deadly poisons being an interminable modus operandi of the criminals it is logical to expect that someday a child will fall victim to the evil criminals involved. When that happens then the whole sorry tale of how poisons have been continuously used and yet very long periods of time have been allowed to elapse before any publicity takes place will hit the headlines with the obvious question being asked …….. WHY HAS THIS BEEN ALLOWED TO FESTER ?
Pass it regularly although recently the road between Lea and Cromford has been blocked. I am not aware of pheasant shooting here but I could ask.
It will be interesting to see if there is the same effort made if a poisoned bait/raptor is discovered in an upland area associated with grouse shooting
Time that every person buying and storing poisons had to be registered, much in the same way that firearms and shotguns are managed, with storage restricted to suitable locked poison cabinets.
A short amnesty period for those who are already in possession to either give up any poisons or become registered.
After that any unlawful possession would result in a mandatory prison sentence, which could be aggravated if that possession resulted in humans or animals being put at risk. So that this would include poisons hidden in out buildings or elsewhere humans or animals could come into contact with them.
I appreciate some criminals will have a secret stash, but if punishments were similar to unlawful possession of firearms it might deter some from committing the despicable wildlife crimes so frequently being reported.
Well said Sir
Raptors have continued to die from illegally set poisons for over a century. Do we really have to wait until multiple pets or, worse, a child dies due to irresponsible uses of poisons before the laws are tightened and sentences handed down reflect the nature of the crime?
It must now be a year or more since Nick Lyall was removed from heading up the RPPDG. Has this group now ceased to function, does it still hold meetings, has it addressed any issues since then? Surely there should be something emanating from this group to reach our ears on topics like this. Presumably the RPPDG is not answerable to concerns from the general public, we would have to take a long route via MPs etc to get a topic of public safety concern addressed?