CHILD safety fears have been raised following the death of a puppy that ate what are believed to be deadly wild mushrooms in the grounds of a popular swimming pool.

Concerned mum Daniela Baker was “horrified” when Fifi died the day after eating the fatal fungi at Lodge Hill Pool adjacent to Montacute School, Canford Heath, Poole.

Mrs Baker, who started feeling ill herself 24 hours after Fifi died, spent Monday night in Poole Hospital as a precaution, before getting the all clear from medics.

Borough of Poole has since cordoned off the area where the mushrooms are growing and posted ‘keep out’ warning signs.

The Baker family’s veterinary surgeon, Sylvia Thomassen – of Bournemouth’s Spring Corner Veterinary Centre – told the Daily Echo: “I am 99 per cent sure that by looking at the mushroom that this is, indeed, a death cap.”

Fungus experts also believe images taken at the site are of death cap mushrooms.

Amanita palloides, commonly known as the death cap mushroom, deserves its name, says Hagen Rose of the Dorset Fungus Group.

“It is reported that a little over a third of a death cap can kill an adult human being,” he explained.

Mrs Baker, from Merley, was taking her two youngest children swimming on Saturday morning when 14-week-old pug Fifi was let out of the car for a run.

“The kids said ‘she’s eating something, looks like mushrooms’,” she said. “I didn’t think much of it, I just pulled her back because I thought they may be bad for her tummy. It was only when we found her dead the next morning that I realised what happened.”

Then, on Monday she started feeling ill herself and contacted doctors.

“It was taken very seriously and I was kept in A&E at Poole Hospital overnight, being monitored every half hour. It was frightening but I was given the all clear the following morning.”

Now she wants other parents and pet owners to be on their guard.

“Fifi showed no sign of illness on Saturday night, but apparently the mushrooms can take several hours to take effect.

Mrs Thomassen said: “Even tiny amounts can kill a human.

“If an animal eats this mushroom or if the owner suspects it has, they need to bring it to a vet as soon as possible to induce vomiting. Induced vomiting within one hour is really important.”