Pet owners are being warned to keep food recycling bins away from animals and children after the heart-breaking death of a family’s dog.

Beloved pooch Dexter licked mould left by discarded bread in the inside of a caddy after it blew over in during high winds.

His owner Sarah Dent said: “I hadn't washed it out as it had only contained mouldy bread. Little did I know then that bread mould and its residue are in fact highly toxic.”

After Dexter started fitting within minutes he was rushed to a vet.

When Mrs Dent went home to await an update she found Dexter’s canine companion Georgie lying on the kitchen floor in the same state.

She was also taken to the vet where she underwent emergency treatment in an attempt to reverse the toxic shock. Both dogs were placed in induced comas.

Over the coming days Georgie’s condition improved but Dexter continued to deteriorate, suffering multiple organ failure before the decision was taken to put him down.

Wandsworth Times:

Mrs Dent, from Bovingdon in Hertfordshire, has been trying to raise awareness of the little-known issue on social media since Dexter’s death.

She said: “Not one person that contacted me out of thousands knew that their recycling caddies and this mould was a killer to their dogs. Scarily this would have the same effect on cats, other wildlife or even a young child if consumed.

“I don’t want our beloved Dexter to die in vain. My job was to keep him safe and I failed him because I had never been informed about this very easy bit of information that every household should be told before they are asked to keep these toxins in their homes.

“The circumstances of Dexter’s death will always haunt us but I hope by raising awareness that more animals and children aren't fatally poisoned.

“I believe my dog wouldn’t have died if I had known that one small piece of information.”