Sick dogs spark beach probe call
Environmental bosses have been urged to carry out an investigation with the “utmost urgency” following a spate of dogs becoming sick after walking on Ayrshire’s beaches.
Following our special report last week, further dog owners have come forward and contacted the Post to tell us their harrowing tales of their pets becoming “sedated” on the sand.
But council bosses this week insisted there is no evidence to suggest any toxic or poisonous material on the beach and have urged all dog owners to pay attention to signage on the beaches.
And just two months ago, SEPA warned bathers to steer clear of Ayr, rating the water quality “poor”.
Now Bill Grant MP is urging both the council and SEPA to carry out their investigations into the cause with“utmost urgency”.
He said: “Given
I have two dogs in my family I was particularly concerned to learn of the problem of dogs becoming ill after being exercised on Ayr Beach. “I note South Ayrshire Council and SEPA have been contacted and are investigating to establish the root cause,
“I would urge them to do so with the utmost urgency.
“Meantime, I welcome the sensible interim measures of placing warning notices in situ and would ask that dog owners and dog walkers take heed of the safety messages until this matter is resolved.”
Reader Jenny Andrews, who walked the beach last week with her pals and their dogs, told the Post three out of the four animals fell ill. She said: “We met up at Ayr In Idia and walked along the Seafield direction towards Greenan G and we were out for around an hour. h
“When we got back to the car, my dog Lily tried to jump into the boot and a missed.
“After getting home, Lily was struggling to walk and I thought it was because of her trying to get in into the car.
“I took her to the vets and it turned out my friend Kristin, who lives in Troon, was the same. Her dog Cooper couldn’t get out of the car and was struggling to walk.
Jenny said she got in contact with her other friend, Kristina, and her dog Bella was also struggling.
She insisted: “Their legs just didn’t seem to be working and even their heads were bobbing lethargically.”
All three pets had to be put on a drip and active charcoal to absorb any toxins they may have ingested.
Jenny added: “Thankfully they are all bouncing back.
“My vet had taken blood and urine samples for a toxicology report - the initial tests came back clear but the vet has now asked them to do extensive testing.
“I think they are concerned that so many dogs have had something in their system.”
SEPA previously revealed Ayr’s water was prone to “short term pollution” and bathing was “not advised” one to two days after heavy rainfall.
A report said: “Pollution risks include agricultural run- off, sewer overflows and surface water discharges.
“DNA tracing indicates that human sources and animal sources are contributing to faecal pollution of the bathing water.” Despite a string of dog owners coming forward to report worrying cases, a council spokesman said they have not received any further complaints of pets becoming ill and they would continue to monitor the situation.
He added: “Contrary to press reports there is no evidence to suggest any toxic or poisonous materials on the beach and we ask all dog owners to pay attention to the signage, stay vigilant and let us know if they have further concerns.”