One dog owner says her dog was sick after eating remains of a curry
RESIDENTS in Llandaff North are fearing for animals’ safety and taking extra precautions when walking their dogs because someone is dumping waste food in Hailey Park.
Park users are baffled by the range of food which includes cooked chips, pizza, burger, chicken nuggets, battered food and remains of roast dinners.
Some has contained onions, which can be hazardous for dogs.
And one dog walker even reported finding screws and nails hidden in the piles of waste.
The food has appeared at several locations throughout the park, which runs alongside the River Taff in the north Cardiff suburb.
The bizarre saga began during the summer months and has continued on and off throughout the year.
Lisa Grimrade’s one-year-old puppy, Frankie, was violently sick after eating some of a curry with pink/red sauce.
“This is now becoming a health hazardous situation,” said Lisa. “You don’t know if the food is poisoned or not.”
Her daughter, Cassey, was “shocked” to come across nails and screws hidden in a “mass” of pineapple, potatoes and sweetcorn. She picked them out by hand.
Lisa walks her two dogs in the park every day. “It is such a lovely dog-walking park. Now, I don’t enjoy it as much,” she said.
“I’m not looking around, or looking out for people I know. I’m looking to see if there is food on the floor,” she said.
In some instances, entire meals have apparently been dumped. Residents have speculated that the food could be coming from a catering company or residential establishment, although no source has been identified.
The RSPCA advises that any food high in salt, for example processed meats, is “not suitable” for animals.
“Mouldy leftovers […] contain toxins that can cause nasty health problems in pets,” said a spokesperson.
And they advised that onions should “never be given to dogs”.
Another local resident, Sherry Thomas, said her two-year-old cockerpoo/terrier Daisy grabbed some dumped fruit and vegetables in the park.
She kept Daisy on the lead once she became aware of the dumping, which she said was “disruptive” to their walks.
There does not seem to be a set time when the dumping happens. Some residents have noticed it appearing around lunchtime.
“At first, it was twice a week,” said Lisa. “Then it became three times a week. And then it was becoming every other day – sometimes two days in a row.”
Residents have taken it upon themselves to pick up the food in bags when they come across it.
Penny Bowers, who lives close to Hailey Park, said that the food is “very difficult to pick up”.
Her thirteen-year old cocker spaniel, Stella, became ill after having “gorged” on some of the dumped food.
“Some dogs may be allergic to certain types of food, or be on a special diet,” she said.
“Dogs are finding it straight away, even if they are on the lead.”
She also told of a poorly hedgehog that was found in the park in October, near to where food had been dumped.
Penny said that the park has had issues in the past with people dumping pumpkins around Halloween, and hedgehogs becoming dehydrated and ill from eating them.
Mel Collins is another resident who helps to pick up the food, although she does not have a dog herself.
“Hailey Park is part of why people come to live in this area,” she said. “The people who run the park ensure the wildlife is well fed.”
Mel said that the food has the potential to attract rats: “If the food is just left there, it will become mouldy.”
Although the identity of the food dumper remains a mystery, some residents claim to have come across the offender, and have asked them to stop.
A sign was also erected in one of the dumping areas, but the culprit simply switched spots to elsewhere in the park.
The locations are random, including in a wooded area off Radyr Road car park, in grassy hummocks nearer to the river, small paths leading off from the main park and in the middle field near the Welsh Water pumping station and the park changing rooms.
The dumping began at one of the main entrances to the park.
Some residents believe the dumping could be vindictive. In some instances, food has been hidden in clumps of grass where owners cannot see it.
However, Penny believes it may be “someone who is well-meaning” but ill-informed.
She explained: “If people meet the person, be nice to them, because you don’t know their situation. Try to reason with them. I would like this person to see sense.”
The Friends of Hailey Park group is aware of the problem.
In a statement, they said: “[We] are aware of this issue in Hailey Park. We are concerned about the potential impacts on park users, dogs and wildlife.
“We report concerns about any public behaviour of concern arising on Hailey Park that we are aware of. We would encourage people to contact the council and PCSOs direct with any information or concerns so that it can be investigated by the appropriate agency.”
Residents have reported their concerns to the council online, under ‘Fly-Tipping’.
One resident said they had no response from the council, whereas another said the council had come to clear up some of the food.
The council responded to The Cardiffian’s request for comment, saying they could find no reports of food dumping under ‘Parks’ or ‘Waste Management’.
The Cardiffian informed the council where people had reported the issue to and when. We have not yet received a response.
Residents have reported positive engagement with the Llandaff North PCSOs over this issue. The Cardiffian contacted them for a comment, but received no response.
Residents have also been encouraged to call 101 to report the issue.
The RSPCA advises: “Animals, and especially dogs, are often extremely curious and will be drawn to food they find lying around.
“If anyone suspects that their pet has eaten something they shouldn’t have they must contact a vet for advice immediately. If possible, and safe to do so, they should take along what they think has harmed them.”
