British dog owners warned of toxic algae in ponds due to heatwave

By Louise Gray, Environment Correspondent

In the West Midlands dead fish were found floating in a park due to oxygen depletion from the algae and the fountains in Trafalgar Square had to be closed because of the green slime. It has also caused trouble for gardeners and fishermen. Vets have now raised concerns that dogs diving into lakes and ponds are at risk of being poisoned by ingesting a toxic blue green algae called Cyanobacteria. Mark Johnston, of the British Small Animals Veterinary Association, warned pet owners to keep dogs away from lakes or ponds where the poisonous algae is growing. He said although blue green algae is usually rare, due to the successive hot days it has become more commonplace. “If blue green algae is in still water you should not allow animals to swim,” he said. …

Dog owners warned of toxic algae in ponds due to heatwave