A couple has issued a warning to anyone planning to take their dog for a summer walk after their puppy tragically died in the park. They want to share their story so that others do not fall prey to a common substance that can be found in parks, and eventually take the life of their puppy.
Cocker Spaniel Roux sadly died shortly after a recent walk on Lake Anton in Hampshire, where the substance, which is deadly to dogs, is suspected to be present. The local council advised walking the dogs to keep their pets away from the water, as it has been tested for blue-green algae. Blue-green algae are found in freshwater such as lakes, ponds, canals, rivers and reservoirs.
Bacteria produce toxic chemicals that are very harmful to human and animal health, according to the United Kingdom’s Center for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH). Owner Hannah May Washington told WiltshireLive that after taking Roo to the lake for his daily walk on April 30, she and her boyfriend Jordan Shearman did not know they would return without their beloved puppy.
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They said: “We’ve taken Roo to the lakes many times before, but not so long ago, and we noticed that many of the places he usually swims were incredibly dirty, much more than normal, so we didn’t spend so much time in swimming in these areas, but he jumped briefly for many. “
Anton Lakes is a popular place for dog walking, located north of Andover, and has both a river and a lake in the nature reserve. The walk seemed to go perfectly well, until the young couple noticed at the end of the walk that Roo’s eyes had become a little droopy.
With regard to blue-green algae, UKCEH says: “They are particularly endangered during the hot summer months, when their concentrations increase in the water to form blooms and excrement on the surface. This may look like green or turquoise thin paint, green sludge or lumps of green particles. “
The couple said, “We decided he got too much water in his eyes, so we decided to stop the walk and go back to the car.”
On the way home, Hannah says they knew right away that something was wrong.
Roo was extremely excited and struggling to stand up, so he was taken to Stratmore Veterinary Clinic.
Blue-green algae can be deadly to dogs (Image: PA)
“While in my arms, Roo began to have seizures, struggling to breathe, foaming at the mouth. It was the worst experience of my life to hold him, to talk to him, to tell him that mom and dad love him, “she said.
During the 15 minutes that the trip to the vets took, Roo had turned pale and could not breathe on his own. His heart stopped beating and he unfortunately died around 7 p.m.
Hannah said: “Our worst nightmare has officially happened, our precious, young baby Roo has lost her life so suddenly. My partner and I are only 23 and 24 years old and we have just celebrated one year in our first home together and one year with what can only be described as our first child in Ru. He was everything in our lives, literally. Our lives, our habits, our plans revolved around our beautiful puppy, so I can’t even begin to describe the pain we are experiencing. “
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