Calls for warning signs on Yorkshire Coast beaches after dogs become ill
It comes from a Scarborough Borough Councillor
There is a call for local authorities to put up signs on Yorkshire Coast beaches to warn dog owners about a disease that is going round.
It comes from Scarborough Borough Councillor Bill Chatt, who says reports on social media suggest more than 150 pets have needed treatment after visiting them and other public spaces.
He says people need to be informed and made fully aware of the dangers.
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Bill said:
"I was talking to a lady who said that her niece's dog had got very ill and had to be a drip. I asked a man how much it would cost and reckons she was in circa £2,000. It's an awful lot of money but a dog is a major part of everybody's life. It's a big part of your family.
"There are quite a few people in the Woodlands ward who are telling me that their dogs have been ill with some saying that their dogs have been close to death. I'm very concerned that we're not acting. We need to do something, at least put a sign up on the beach saying 'please be aware'. It's not just us, it does right up to Hartlepool and goes right down to Bridlington.
"Some people have walked in-land with their dogs and they've been quite ill. There's something happening but nobody is telling us what it is. I was first made aware when some vet had put a statement out saying that dogs are getting very, very ill.
"It's a bit like a Faulty Tower sketch really 'don't talk about the war' and that seems to be the way we're dealing with it and it's not appropriate. I think dog owners are going down there totally unaware and I think somebody somewhere needs to put a warning sign out to say that if there is a danger, we're aware of it and make them know that people are aware of it."
Scarborough Borough Council said:
“We are aware of reports of dogs presenting with a sickness and diarrhoea type illness in our borough and also in neighbouring areas to the north and south.
“The cause of the illness, and the locations it appears to be linked to, are unclear.
“While dogs walked on beaches have been affected, we have also read reports from dog owners that the same symptoms are affecting dogs only walked at inland locations away from beaches.
“We are in discussions with our partner organisations to gather intelligence and carry out investigations into possible causes.
“If any vets have information about possible links to a canine virus that could help these investigations, we kindly ask them to contact our dog warden service via scarborough.gov.uk.”
A spokesperson at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said:
"Defra is aware and are in contact with the Animal and Plant Health Agency over these reports.
"In the meantime, we recommend that if a pet shows clinical signs, then the owner should seek veterinary care from their own private veterinary practice."
Kirsty Salisbury, General Manager (Coastal) at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said:
"We are aware of reports on social media and in the local press of dogs becoming unwell following visiting areas of local beaches in the northern part of our coastline. We have been liaising with external partners during the course of yesterday to try and establish a cause, whilst also liaising with local colleagues, and also nationally.
"From reports from local veterinary surgeries, the illness they are seeing within dogs and the tests carried out have not provided any direct links with the use of beaches. We would advise that, if your pet becomes unwell and has continuing sickness and diarrhoea, you should make an appointment to have your pet seen. It appears that many dogs are becoming unwell even though they have not visited beaches, so it may be that this is a general illness amongst dogs.
"Our Coastal Services team regularly inspect the beaches for signs of any irregular occurrences and at present there is nothing unusual; however, this will continue to be monitored and action will be taken, if and when necessary. We encourage people to be aware and mindful, and if they are on the beach, or anywhere, not to let their dogs off the lead, so that owners can see what the dogs are picking up and potentially eating.
"The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is aware of the incidents and is in contact with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
"If you are unsure of anything whilst using our beach areas, please contact our Coastal Services team on 01262 678255 or email foreshores@eastriding.gov.uk"