Published: Sunday, 25th July, 2010 3:00pm

RSPCA looks into OAP's claim three of his pets were killed

Comments (0) | Print | Email

THE RSPCA is investigating claims three dogs owned by a pensioner at the centre of a dispute over noise complaints were killed.

Maurice Seddon, who has been involved in a long-running battle with the Royal Borough following complaints from neighbours about his dogs' constant barking, was devastated after the deaths.

The 83-year-old of Datchet said: "I came across one of my dogs in great pain making terrible grunting noises. It was lying with vomit coming out of its mouth.

"It was croaking in terrible pain and there was nothing I could do about it.

"That was followed by several more and now there are definitely three dead dogs and they have all died in the same manner. I strongly suspect they have been poisoned and it would have been deliberate. The question is, who would have done it?"

Mr Seddon, of Horton Road, fears his remaining nine dogs, which he says are his only companions and protection, will die in the same way.

The former army captain, who has lived in his home for 53 years, suspects food coated with poison was thrown over the fence to the dogs kept in his garden.

He said: "The simplest possibility is somebody has thrown over the fence something that the dogs would be attracted to, battered with a poisonous substance, and the dogs have eaten it.

"The other possibility is an illness which can be fatal and produce similar results, but this is so rare and only some of the dogs suffered so I think it is unlikely. It is more likely they have been poisoned.

"It's the most frightful thing that has happened here. It is quite terrible."

A spokeswoman from the RSPCA said: "We have received a call about the dogs being poisoned and we are looking into it."

Mr Seddon has been in dispute with the Royal Borough for a number of years in an effort to appeal against the council's decision to legally force him to get rid of the dogs.