### Dog Walkers Urged to Be Alert After Reports of Dangerous Treats at Castle Meadows, Abergavenny
Dog owners across Monmouthshire have been issued a stark warning after alarming discoveries were made at one of the region’s most popular green spaces. Local authorities revealed that dog treats embedded with sharp metal fishing hooks were found scattered along footpaths near Castle Meadows, Abergavenny, leaving the community shocked and on edge.
Monmouthshire County Council acted swiftly to inform the public, circulating a safety alert on their official platforms. The statement called on all dog walkers and visitors to remain highly vigilant while traversing footpaths near Mill Street – a well-trodden route that leads directly to the River Usk, and further into the expanse of Castle Meadows itself. Police have been alerted, and officer patrols in the area have increased as a result of these reports.
The incident has drawn serious concern from local residents, who prize Castle Meadows for its scenic beauty and tranquil walking routes. Regular walkers, many of whom take their dogs along the same routes daily, voiced their distress at the discovery. According to one dog owner who wished to remain anonymous, the first sign of trouble appeared early on a Friday morning. Having set out with her pets, she encountered another couple who warned her about suspicious dog treats in the area. They showed her two snacks with visible pieces of metal within them, which they claimed had been found on the path.
“As I continued my walk between the river and Linda Vista, I found a dog treat lying at the edge of the path,” she recounted. “After realising what it was, I did my best to alert anyone else with dogs. By the time I made it back to the car park, another walker said several more had turned up near the benches by the entrance.” The treats, she said, were identical to shop-bought snacks, raising suspicions that they were placed deliberately in areas frequented by dogs and their owners.
This is not, it appears, an isolated incident. Anxious community members recalled previous cases where pets have been endangered by similar malicious acts. One high-profile incident took place earlier this year, when a Jack Russell terrier ingested two fish hooks that had been painstakingly hidden in a meaty treat during a visit to the very same park.
The dog’s owner spoke to local media about the ordeal: “On getting the dog checked by the vet, they discovered two hooks embedded in his stomach – the hooks had been expertly concealed, so there was no way to see them from the outside.” Veterinary professionals had to perform emergency intervention to save the pet, who thankfully made a full recovery, but experts emphasised that such cases can easily prove fatal.
The presence of these hooks far from any body of water – in grassy fields where fishing usually does not occur – suggests a deliberate attempt to harm animals. As a precaution, pet care professionals stress the dangers of embedded hooks, warning owners to seek immediate veterinary attention if any part of a fishing hook is suspected to have been swallowed or become lodged in a dog’s mouth or paw.
Inspector Emma Sowrey from Gwent Police has confirmed that patrols will be increased in and around Castle Meadows as investigations continue. She urged the public to report any sightings of suspicious activity or objects in the park, and encouraged community members to be extra mindful of their dogs during walks.
While authorities continue their enquiries, the community’s sense of alarm has deepened. Locals are left questioning motives behind such acts, with many labelling them as “cruel” and “malicious.” The focus now shifts to continued vigilance and public cooperation in order to safeguard both pets and wildlife in this much-loved beauty spot.
Dog owners who use Castle Meadows and the surrounding areas are advised to exercise caution, keeping pets on leads where possible and thoroughly inspecting the ground ahead. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Monmouthshire County Council or local police promptly. This troubling episode serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the ongoing need for community awareness and swift intervention in the face of threats to animal safety.