Investigations into cause of dogs falling ill on the Yorkshire Coast
There's been thousands of reports from pet owners on social media after beach visits
Investigations are underway to find out why dogs are falling ill after visiting beaches on the Yorkshire Coast.
There has been thousands of reports from pet owners on social media with vets recommending that people stay away from the seaside.
Sarah Woodhouse lives in York but she and her family visited Scarborough's North Bay beach earlier this week with nine-year-old Sonny who is a Jack Russell terrier.
She said:
"It was actually his first walk since the New Year as he's been housebound because he sprained his leg, as a dog probably does, so we thought we'd take him to the beach for a little treat because he loves it there and unfortunately within 24 hours of walking on Scarborough North beach he's been really, really, really ill.
"He had an anti-sickness injection which seemed to do the trick and they've given him some doggy dirilyte as well. He's back at the vets again because he's really, really not very well and despite having little drips of water and little drips of doggy dirilyte he's still really unwell so he's there now on an IV drip.
"Just to see him so ill generally is really distressing and you feel helpless because they can't communicate what's wrong with them, they're just looking at you with puppy dog eyes screaming 'help me' silently and for him to not even muster a bark at the postman is quite unusual so we knew he was very, very unwell.
"It's really, really distressing. It's horrible to see your pet like that and I would really advise anybody to steer clear at least until they know what it is. Is it something in the water? Is it a sickness bug? Is it being spread by birds or other animals? Who knows what it is."
Local authorities to look into the cause
A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said:
"Defra is aware and we are in contact with the Animal and Plant Health Agency over these reports. We are not aware of any link with the issue of crustaceans washed ashore in the area late last year."
Scarborough Borough Council said:
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.
"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