POISONED meat was deliberately dropped in a dog owners’ garden to kill her three beloved pets.

The strips of meat were laced with antifreeze with mercury, causing the dogs’ organs to fail when they took a bite.

Owner Coreen Langstone, 71, of Southways, Brightlingsea, was left distraught after one died almost immediately and the second a few hours later.

The third had to be put down a few days later, just hours after she had been to the funeral of her greatgrandson.

It is believed the meat was thrown over the fence from Bayard Recreation Ground to six-year-old shih tzu Bambi, and three year-old chihuahuas Chappie and Jet.

Ms Langstone let the dogs out as normal last Thursday, but knew something was wrong when they came in.

“Chappie was going limp,” she said. “He was small and died quickly.

“I wrapped him up and went to my friends hoping I was wrong, but he had gone. I came back and noticed Jet was not breathing well.

“We went to the vet in Highwoods. They had him on a respirator but could not save him.”

Bambi died on Monday.

Ms Langstone said: “They were just young, innocent dogs and now the house is so quiet.”

It is thought the meat was dropped at about noon last Thursday.

Anyone with information should call PC Thomas Raes at Clacton police on 101.