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Dogs exercising on beach - Source: ONE News -
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Natural toxins in seaweed or other sea matter are seen as a possible cause of deaths and illnesses among dogs that have been on Auckland beaches.
One dog died last month after being taken to Browns Bay beach, while there was a second fatality this week at another North Shore location, Cheltenham Beach.
In the wake of those cases and reports of sea life deaths on Auckland's eastern beaches and within the Hauraki Gulf, Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) has issued a public alert.
North Shore City Council environmental protection team leader Duffy Visser says that samples of seaweed and vomit from the Cheltenham Beach dog had been sent to Wellington for testing.
Results were expected by the end of the week.
Duffy says pathologists were leaning towards the possibility that natural toxins were responsible.
She said the council had received about 100 calls since publicity about the issue, with owners saying their dog had become sick after walking on a beach.
However, there had been no reports of further deaths.
Despite warning signs on North Shore beaches, people could still be seen walking dogs there this morning.
Visser says all the council could do was to warn the public and give out as much information as possible.
"It's not at a stage where we can actually ban dogs."
"If the dog is on a leash and it doesn't get to the water or eat anything, it will probably be safe, but it's very hard to say if we are not sure what we are dealing with."
ARPHS says that it is unable to rule out the risk to the public until test results were received.
The matter was considered so serious, that the service warned people against exercising pets on Hauraki Gulf beaches.
It saod children should not be taken to those beaches.
People should avoid contact with seawater and sea life in the Hauraki Gulf and should not collect shellfish from the gulf.
Authorities want people to let their local vets know, if they have had any issues with their dogs in the affected areas.
Also, if you are aware of any fish deaths, please contact the Emergency Pest and Disease hotline on 0800 809966. They operate 24/7.
