Police investigate reports of razor blade found inside tennis ball at park popular with dog walkers

The tennis ball was found with a sharpened blade wedged inside.
Tadeusz Lakota/Unsplash
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Police are investigating after a tennis ball containing a concealed razor blade was reportedly found in a family park in Cheshire.

A dog owner reported finding the ball in Lyme Park, Disley.

Posting a photo on the Stockport Crime Watch Facebook group, the owner wrote: “This ball containing a new razor blade inside was picked up by my dogs in the reeds adjacent to the Knott car park at the far end of Lyme Park at 6.00 pm 24th May.

“It has been doctored by someone who evidently has malevolent intentions towards dogs. My puppies carried it back to the car and chewed it up. We found this vicious razor blade inside."

They added: “My dogs just found this old ball set in the reeds hidden for them to find. I even threw it for them! I can’t bear to think of the consequences."

They urged pet owners to “be vigilant”.

Cheshire Police confirmed they were investigating.

The force said: “At 2.43pm on Saturday 25 May police received a report of a dog walker finding a razor blade inside a tennis ball in Lyme Park in Disley.

“Officers have liaised with the land owners and anyone who may have any information is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting IML 410822.”

The 1300-acre Lyme Park estate is run by the National Trust, and has featured in a number of films and television programmes, including the 1995 BBC adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice.

Lyme Park mansion – the largest house in Cheshire – is surrounded by gardens and a deer park. (Alamy )
Alamy

A spokeswoman for the National Trust said it was “aware” of the incident and had “informed our countryside team who will be carrying out additional checks whilst working in the wider estate.”

Social media users have expressed their horror at the find, asking “what kind of person” would conceive of such an “evil idea”.

“What the hell is wrong with people?? Who does that?? My dog regularly finds a stray ball (and loses a few!) and we let him play with it!! May have to think twice in future,” commented one user.

Another said they were "lost for words".

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