Baiting fears after suspicious meat found on Adelaide walking track

Residents in Adelaide's south are worried after finding suspicious bits of meat scattered along a popular walking track.

Dog owners Chantelle and Kimberley were taking Zeus and Blue on their daily walk when the pooches sniffed out something sinister.

"Found one piece of meat, walked a little bit further, found another piece – it was really weird," Chantelle told 9News.

They picked up the bits they found, which were among at least 16 pieces of suspicious meat recovered by concerned locals along the Esplanade at Port Noarlunga South.

Fishing line was entangled in some, and what appeared to be a small hook was embedded in another.

The RSPCA is now investigating.

"One of the reports mentions that the bait looks like liver, we have some samples of meat in our custody," RSPCA SA operations manager Emma Shepley said.

The council has also issued a warning, advising pet owners to keep their dogs on a lead, and to stay away from suspicious scraps.

"It could cause extreme sickness and it can even cause death if they eat enough of it, or if the poison is serious enough," Ms Shepley said.

Rangers are doorknocking the area to check if residents have CCTV that could help, while the council is now considering installing its own security cameras.