North Yorkshire Police is investigating suspected dog poisonings at Lindley Wood Reservoir near Harrogate.
Police are appealing for information following the death of two dogs at the site. The animals died after eating something that is believed to be toxic on a walk at the reservoir between March 31 and April 15.
The Stray Ferret reported on Friday that Yorkshire Water, which owns the reservoir, had urged dog walkers to remain vigilant.
Police are carrying out enquiries and said in a statement released today:
“We were made aware of what happened at around 4pm on Tuesday, April 16.
“If you have any information that can help us with our investigation, please get in touch. We would also like to hear from any other dog owners who believe their dog may have been affected in similar circumstances after visiting the location in recent weeks.”
Last week, dog owners took to social media to report the suspected poisoning. A five-year-old Cockerpoo and a puppy died after being walked at the site.
Lindley Wood, along with nearby Swinsty, Fewston and Thruscross reservoirs is owned by Yorkshire Water.
A Yorkshire Water spokesperson urged dog owners to remain vigilant and to report anything suspicious at its reservoirs.
They said:
“We are saddened to hear of these incidents, which we were made aware of via social media. Our colleagues have not found anything suspicious at the reservoir, but we would encourage the dog owners to reach out to our customer service team and share specific details of where they were walking at the time so we can establish if this was on land owned by Yorkshire Water, and if so, support with any required investigation.
“In the meantime, we would continue to urge walkers and owners to remain vigilant and keep their dogs on a lead when walking around our reservoirs, for their safety, and the safety of surrounding wildlife.”
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Dog owners urged to be ‘vigilant’ amid reported ‘poisoning’ at reservoir near Harrogate
Yorkshire Water has urged dog owners to be “vigilant” after reports of multiple dogs being poisoned at a reservoir near Harrogate.
Owners have taken to social media to report suspected poisoning when walking at Lindley Wood Reservoir, in the Washburn Valley, Harrogate.
Leeds man James Bevan lost his Cockerpoo, Winston, to acute kidney failure from toxic poisoning. The five-year-old dog ate something toxic on Sunday, April 7, at the reservoir and died eight days later.
Winston was a healthy award-winning agility dog and Mr Bevan said in a post on social media:
“Please do not walk in Lindley Wood at the moment with your dog. Tell people who do about this as it can’t be a coincidence and I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.
“I don’t have the words to do this justice right now. Maybe I never will. Everyone knows what he meant to us. My boy. My best friend. My team mate. My world. He changed our lives completely and made everyone who met him love him.”
Other dog owners have also taken to social media to warn walkers about the reservoir. Another dog who died from similar circumstances after being walked at the site was a puppy named Bear.
Lindley Wood, along with nearby Swinsty, Fewston and Thruscross reservoirs is owned by Yorkshire Water.
The company told the Stray Ferret that it was aware of the reports, but at this stage there has been no substance found.
However, a Yorkshire Water spokesperson urged dog owners to remain vigilant and to report anything suspicious at its reservoirs.
They said:
“We are saddened to hear of these incidents, which we were made aware of via social media. Our colleagues have not found anything suspicious at the reservoir, but we would encourage the dog owners to reach out to our customer service team and share specific details of where they were walking at the time so we can establish if this was on land owned by Yorkshire Water, and if so, support with any required investigation.
“In the meantime, we would continue to urge walkers and owners to remain vigilant and keep their dogs on a lead when walking around our reservoirs, for their safety, and the safety of surrounding wildlife.”
The Stray Ferret has also approached North Yorkshire Police for comment.
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Police use drone in search for missing Harrogate woman Judith
Police used a drone today in the search for missing Harrogate woman Judith Holliday.
The drone was flown in large open areas around North Rigton and Lindley Wood Reservoir as the search entered its 10th day.
Judith, 73, left her care home on Harcourt Road in Harrogate at 10.32am on Saturday, August 27. She was then captured on CCTV at Harrogate bus station and later in Library Gardens at 10.43am.
It’s believed she then caught a bus out of Harrogate and then flagged down a member of the public and asked for a lift to North Rigton, where the last confirmed sighting took place.
North Yorkshire Police is now asking anyone who was in North Rigton between 1.30pm and 3pm on August 27 to check any dashcam or camera footage to see if it captured Judith.
Police searching for Judith Holliday at Almscliffe Crag.
She was last seen wearing a distinctive blue jacket and is described as being of thin build, approximately 5ft in height, and having medium length grey hair.
North Yorkshire Police critical incident inspector Phoebe Southall said:
“Please continue to support our search by checking dashcam and video footage and remaining vigilant.
“Please also check any outbuildings or sheltered areas.
“Any immediate sightings of Judith should be reported to 999.
“If you have any dashcam or video footage of Judith or information that could assist the investigation then please call us on 101. “
Quote reference number 12220153505 when providing information.
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Lucinda Edwards, Judith’s niece, thanked people for their support:
“We’re so grateful for the level of support our community has shown in our mission to locate Judith.
“Judith and anyone living with an illness like hers deserves to have this level of support and awareness to keep them safe.”
Judith has dementia and requires medication, however she often presents fit and well.
Swinsty Reservoir walking route reopens today
The circular walking route around Swinsty Reservoir has reopened today, three months ahead of schedule.
Yorkshire Water closed the circular route around the reservoir In November 2020 to allow it to undertake £6 million safety works that were due to be completed in the summer.
The company introduced a temporary footpath, which drew some complaints for being too muddy.
https://twitter.com/YorkshireWater/status/1512387717430136845
The reservoir in the Washburn Valley is a popular location for families and dog walkers in the Harrogate district.
Alastair Harvey, lead recreation advisor at Yorkshire Water, said:
“Swinsty is one of our most popular reservoir sites, so it’s fantastic to have the full circular route open once again. We’re grateful for the patience of our visitors and local residents whilst the work took place.”
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