Dog walkers have been warned to look after their pets after two unrelated reports of attempted poisonings in the west of Scotland.

Slug pellets or rodenticide were found at Overtoun Park entrance in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, while a white powder-like substance was found in a garden in Stevenston, North Ayrshire, 40 miles away.

The Scottish SPCA was called out to both incidents on the same day, Friday January 6, and believe both materials were put there on purpose.

The blue pellets at Overtoun Park were left in a in a 2ft by 2ft square near the park's entrance.

An undercover inspector from the charity's special investigations unit said: "It looks like a whole canister was used and the council are confident that it was not them.

"There has previously been a report of a large pile of gelled gravy in the park but we can't say for sure if it was poisoned."

Slug pellets have been used recently with one dog being treated by the charity after coming across the hazardous material and falling "extremely ill".

The undercover inspector added: "Dogs are usually very curious and will try to eat the poison. I recently dealt with a report of a Jack Russell who congested a large amount of slug pellets and was extremely ill.

"There is a concern poison is being laid on purpose. The poisoning of domestic animals is a huge issue and we deal with a large number of complaints regarding poisonings and they are incredibly difficult to solve due to the nature of the crime."

Anyone with information is being urged to contact the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.