The devastated owner of a dog that died after eating a poisonous mushroom is warning others of the “hidden danger”.

James Pritchard-Barrett, 56, was walking his three Labradors with family near South Brent when two of them ate a toxic Death Cap.

The businessman, from Modbury, pulled eight-year-old pooch Ottie away from the white toadstool.

But he couldn’t stop one-year-old Isla from swallowing the fungus during the walk from Shipley Bridge to the Avon Dam.

James said Ottie became ill immediately after eating the mushroom on Sunday, August 25 - suffering from sickness and diarrhoea before making a recovery.

But Isla didn’t show any signs of illness until much later on.

James said: “She seemed fine at first but on Monday she suddenly became very flat and lethargic.

“We rushed her to the vet, and she was put on life support. They did a great job, but on Wednesday morning they called to tell us that she had passed away.

“I didn’t even think about mushrooms. But now I will know forever.

“Please be vigilant and watch out for them. They are a hidden danger and they’re springing up everywhere.

“If you suspect you’re dog has eaten one you need to get them to the vets straight away so they can be sick.

“I will always be incredibly careful from now on.

“Isla was a real star - full of enthusiasm, intelligent, beautiful and coming on brilliantly with her training.

“We are naturally devastated. She was an absolutely super dog cut off in her prime.”

A spokesperson for South Moor Vets said: “One of our patients very sadly passed away due to the likely ingestion of toxic mushrooms she ate while on a walk.

“Despite our very best efforts we were unable to save her, and her owners wished us to warn people of the potential dangers.

“With the weather we have had lately, large numbers of mushrooms and fungi are popping up everywhere.

“We believe the mushrooms that were ingested were Death Cap mushrooms.

“Two dogs belonging to this family were suspected of eating the mushrooms, one vomited immediately after the walk and has suffered no ill effects.

“But sadly, the other seemed completely fine until much later.

“By the time she was showing signs, her body was unable to cope with the damage caused by the toxins.

“We would urge people if they are concerned their dogs may have eaten something untoward to call us for advice as it may be sensible to make them vomit.”

The Death Cap mushroom is a deadly fungus which is common in England.

It’s responsible for most fatal mushroom poisonings worldwide.

The fishy-smelling fungus grows in woodland areas from August to November.

Initial symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea and severe abdominal pain from six to 24 hours after ingestion.

It can cause kidney and liver failure.

Ingestion of just half a mushroom can lead to death.