Dog digs up possible link to notorious 19th-century Devon murder case

Owner of labrador says bottle find may be connected to poisoning that led to one of England’s last hangings

A man in Devon believes his beloved dog has dug up a key piece of evidence in his back garden connected to a notorious Victorian murder case.

Paul Phillips, 49, told reporters that his labrador, Stanley, recovered a blue glass bottle with the words “Not to be taken” written on the side from their home in Clyst Honiton.