Dog owners have been expressing their concern after a number of mysterious piles of bread and breakfast cereal were spotted littered in parks and on pavements.
The post prompted an outpouring of locals in Eltham, southeast London, worrying for their pets and urban foxes who could eat the dangerous-looking substance - with fears they could be poisoned.
Writing in the Eltham community Facebook group, local man Chris Stammers said: "Does anyone know who is doing this? It looks like coco pops and cornflakes mixed with ant killer or some other type of poison.
"Seen on Well Hall Road near St Thomas More church. Just to be aware for those that have dogs or cats."
The post was soon met with other locals in the Eltham area saying they had seen remarkably similar-looking piles of food in other places, one saying: "I’ve seen this by the bus stop by Well Hall roundabout. Just thought someone dropped their breakfast, clearly not."
A number of people said they had seen similar piles near their local bus stop with a second adding: "The same was done near Oakdene Avenue bus stop on Whitehorse hill."
A second wrote: "This was also at a bus stop along Middle Park Avenue yesterday, yet again like most people only thought it was dropped cereal..."
Several commenters suggested whoever had laid down the food had done so aiming to kill local foxes, rats, or pigeons, prompting many to worry for their own pets' safety, reports My London.
A local dog owner said: "Not walking my dogs until it’s sorted I’m not having them poisoned. I’ve also sent this to Greenwich Council, bloody hell if it isn’t one thing it’s something else I’m always on the lookout for things put down."
Another resident wrote: "Sick people, hope they get caught, if you can potentially do something to intentionally harm animals it’s usually not long before they are harming humans!"
MyLondon contacted Greenwich Council who said this was a matter for the police. Met Police say they have not received any reports about the potentially dangerous piles.
