A HAMPSHIRE dog came close to a fatal accident after eating toxic food that had been dumped in the grass.

Vicky Quick, from Southampton, was walking her 10-year-old cross breed terrier Billy, when he wolfed down cake and turkey before he could be pulled away.

Vicky has taken her dogs to Southampton Sports Centre for more than five years but did not see the dumped food laying in the grass.

After consuming the iced cake and the meat, Billy had to make an emergency visit to the vets for an injection before the food began being digested.

Toxic to dogs, the waste was dumped by Dunkirk Close near to the sports centre, with Vicky claiming various items have been appearing there for two years.

Vicky, from Lordswood, contacted Southampton City Council about informing residents not to dump their food and that it can be toxic to animals.

Vicky, 33, said: “I’ve seen the food being thrown there for two years now, but usually on the other side of the sports centre. It was 7.15am so still dark and I noticed that Billy had seen some food and I couldn’t catch him.

“He wolfed down something and I then saw it was cake and feared the worst. The cake is full of raisins and icing which can be fatal for dogs. I’m sure it was an accident, I don’t think someone is doing it maliciously.

“I phoned the vets who didn’t open until 9am, so I took him in then and the vets gave him an injection. They said that it had to be within two hours of the food being eaten so the injection could be administered before it was digested.”

Billy proceeded to vomit the food up for ten minutes before recovering at the vets. Despite contacting the council about the issue, Vicky did not receive a response.

A statement from the council said: “There are no plans at present to install signs advising people not to dump rubbish by Southampton Sports Centre.

“However, if residents have suggestions for ways to prevent this kind of thing happening, they can contact the council using our website, where they can also find lots of useful information on how to dispose of their waste properly.”

Vicky, a public-sector worker said: “I spoke to environmental health about whether there used to be signs there and they said perhaps there were, but they weren’t sure about whether the land was theirs or not.”

Southampton Sports Centre is run by Active Nation, a charity who work with various authorities to deliver sports and exercise programmes.

Southampton City Council said: “We would always encourage people to dispose of their food waste responsibly and considerately and not to dump it where dogs are walked.”