Investigation into dogs’ deaths in Schiedam expands
After a sixth death, Beatrixpark is also being investigated; the cause remains unknown.
In Schiedam, a sixth dog has died after being walked in a city park. As this animal had been in Beatrixpark rather than De Plantage, police are expanding the investigation and are also examining the soil there.
The first dogs died after a walk in De Plantage park. Police reported at the end of September that four animals had died and that a fifth death was later being investigated. As a precaution, the municipality had soil removed near rose beds and closed parts of the park.
The new death concerns a dog that had been walked in Beatrixpark. Large parts of the park have reportedly been cordoned off, according to local reports. The municipality and police want to establish whether there is a connection between the two parks or whether there are separate causes.
The cause of death has not yet been established. Police are conducting pathological and toxicological investigations and speaking to owners and witnesses. Potentially poisonous mushrooms may have been found in De Plantage, but police have not confirmed that they caused the deaths.
The authorities are advising dog owners to choose another place to walk their dogs for the time being. Police are asking people to photograph and report unusual situations. The warning is a precautionary measure and not evidence that the parks contain dangerous substances.
The case received additional attention because the animals are said to have developed similar health problems after being walked. Such similarities can help direct the investigation, but on their own they do not constitute evidence of poisoning or deliberate action.
Until laboratory testing and the other forensic results have been completed, the cause remains open. The municipality can return the removed soil only if investigations show that this is safe. No suspect or criminal cause has been announced.
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The current facts about the sixth death and the investigation in two parks have been confirmed by local reporting and are consistent with the earlier police statement. The text avoids conclusions about poisoning or deliberate action.
- confirmed A sixth dog has died in Schiedam. — This was reported by Schiedam24 and regional media. source
- confirmed The new death has led to an investigation in Beatrixpark. — Local reports say the soil investigation has been expanded. source
- confirmed The cause of death is still unknown. — Police said that pathological and toxicological investigations are still ongoing. source
- uncertain Poisonous mushrooms killed the dogs. — Mushrooms have been mentioned as a possibility, but not as an established cause. source
Editor's note
The number of deaths and the expansion to Beatrixpark were reported by police and local media. The cause of death, any poisonous substances and a possible connection between the parks remain uncertain.Sources
- Onderzoek naar overleden honden na uitlaten Schiedam — Politie Nederland
- Zesde hond overleden in Schiedam, mogelijk verband met eerdere sterfgevallen — Schiedam24
- Gemeente graaft grond bij rozenperken in Plantage af na dood vijf honden — Twee
- Schiedam park dog deaths rise to five as police investigate possible poisonings — NL Times
More on this in Dutch media
- AD — „schiedam beatrixpark”
- de Volkskrant — „schiedam beatrixpark”
- RTL Nieuws — „schiedam beatrixpark”