A POSTER campaign has been launched highlighting the dangers of illegal wildlife poisoning.

North Yorkshire Police is warning that not only is the practice cruel and illegal, it also poses a serious health risk for members of the public and their pets who may happen to pick up a poisoned carcass.

In the ten years between 2004 and 2013, there were 70 incidents of bird of prey persecution in North Yorkshire, including the illegal poisoning of 14 red kites, six buzzards, one goshawk and one peregrine. In many cases, animal carcases laced with poison were involved.

Now, dozens of hard-hitting posters warning about the risks of animal poisoning will be distributed in rural areas including the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors, and displayed in national park centres, parish council notice boards and other key public places.

Sergeant Stuart Grainger, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “Animal carcasses laced with poison are sometimes deliberately used to kill other wildlife, particularly birds of prey.

"This practice is cruel and illegal, and such poisoned bait is also a serious risk to the health of members of the public and their children or pets if they come into contact with them."

He said anyone coming into contact with a carcass needed to be careful.

“If you find a mammal or bird that you believe has been poisoned, please do not touch it, as poisons can transfer through contact with skin. "Please also keep your children and pets well away. Instead, make a note of the location, and anything else that is around or near the animal, and contact North Yorkshire Police."

David Butterworth, chief executive of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said the extent of illegal persecution against birds of prey was "extremely worrying".

"The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority would advise that anyone visiting the Dales who comes across any suspected poisoning incident to contact the police immediately," he said.

North Yorkshire Police has a number of specialist wildlife crime officers, and a comprehensive wildlife crime website: northyorkshire.police.uk/wildlifecrime.

The force supported World Wildlife Day in March, highlighting its ongoing commitment to tackling wildlife crime.

Any suspicious findings should be reported to police on the 101 number, or the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme on 0800 321 600.