A COCKER spaniel called Barney is recovering at his Northwich home after being poisoned by people complaining about his barking during the morning.

Barney was found unconscious and foaming at the mouth on Sunday, August 17, five weeks after owner Katie DaSilva received a threatening letter through the post.

It said if the dog didn't stop barking during the morning they would start on the windows and then leave: 'savoury biscuits' for the dog in the garden.

Katie, of Malpas Road said: "On Sunday morning I returned home.

"Barney was lying under the bed, foaming at the mouth. I thought he was dead.

"My three young children were hysterical and devastated."

Barney was taken in a serious condition to Willows Veterinary Hospital in Hartford, where he stayed for three days before being well enough to be allowed home.

Katie added: "I don't understand how anyone can do this. I am an approachable person and would have dealt with this as an adult but these people have gone too far.

"The children play in the garden where the poison was left for the dog.

"What would have happened if one of my children had picked the poison up?"

Vet Charlie Sayle from the Willows Veterinary Surgery said: "When he came in he was very off colour and had been vomiting and had diorrehaea.

"My understanding was the owner thought he had been poisoned but we couldn't confirm or refute this.

"He was brought in as an emergency on August 17 and stayed until August 20."

vkandel@guardiangrp.co.uk