Warning after distraught dog owner’s French bulldog ‘poisoned’ at Horsham beauty spot

A warning is being sounded by a distraught dog owner after fears her French bulldog was ‘poisoned’ at a Horsham beauty spot.
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Mum-of-three Chebella Bohanna was walking her assistance dog Gypsy Shadow at Southwater Country Park when Gypsy ate something she found on the ground before Chebella could stop her.

And within hours little Gypsy became severely ill and fell into a coma before being rushed to a vets - and then on to a top veterinary hospital in Potters Bar where she was put on life support.

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“She bled from the inside out,” said Chebella, who has a number of health problems and relies on Gypsy for support. “We thought we had lost her.

Gypsy with Chebella and  husband Adrian and their daughters Poppy, 14, Petal, 11, and Pebbles, 8Gypsy with Chebella and  husband Adrian and their daughters Poppy, 14, Petal, 11, and Pebbles, 8
Gypsy with Chebella and husband Adrian and their daughters Poppy, 14, Petal, 11, and Pebbles, 8

“Everything about her is just my life.”

She said her husband and three daughters were also distressed about what happened. “For the next week we felt like we were on an emotional rollercoaster.”

She said her daughters had trouble concentrating on their schooling and were not sleeping well.

Chebella believes that Gypsy was poisoned when she ate what she thought was a kibble biscuit at Southwater park - and wants other dog owners in the area to be on the alert.

Gypsy Shadow before her ordealGypsy Shadow before her ordeal
Gypsy Shadow before her ordeal
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Vets now say that Gypsy is recovering and hope to reunite her with her family this week - but they warn that 14-month-old Gypsy faces two long term health conditions brought on by the shock of her ordeal - Addisons’s disease and a condition known as MUA.

“Both are treatable with medication although there will always be the uncertainty of illness or relapse at times,” said Chebella.

Gypsy will need daily medication and will have to undergo overnight treatment once every three weeks.

The family, who say their finances have been hit hard since the start of the pandemic, are now facing a £15,000 vets bill and a fundraising campaign has been set up to help cover the costs of treatment.

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“Gypsy is more than just a pet, she’s the centre of our whole family,” said Chebella.