Calls for better labelling on hazardous products after family pet dies from ingesting own-brand pellets.
An inquiry has been launched into the labelling of DIY chain Homebase's slug pellets following the death of a Labrador that ingested them.

The story in the Daily Mail, revealed that the Walch family's four-year-old chocolate Labrador Milo died within hours of eating the pellets while out in the garden.

Labelling on the Homebase pest control product notes that the pellets contain an animal repellent "to reduce attractiveness to pets". However, it was the poisonous chemical, metaldehyde, also contained within the product, that killed Milo.

Despite the chemical's classification as 'moderately hazardous' by the World Health Organisation, the Homebase packaging did not display a skull and crossbones logo.

The container did carry smaller warnings on the reverse, stating that the product is "dangerous to pets".

According to the Daily Mail, the vet who treated the Walch's labrador, described it as "the worst case of metaldehyde poisoning she had ever seen" and Milo was eventually put to sleep.

Figures form the Veterinary Poisons Information Service revealed that there were 267 cases of metaldehyde poisoning in dogs last year and a further 32 incidents involving cats.