Djamila Bousksou kisses Duke goodbye (Image: /)
UK owners are on high alert as deadly substances are reported to be washing up on , claiming the lives of at least four canines.
Experts believe the dangerous , known as ‘dead man’s fingers’, might be the culprit behind these tragic incidents, although palm oil is another substance causing concern.
The treacherous items have been spotted along north coast during winter months, and popular beaches in .
Palm oil, while less toxic, can still be harmful to dogs in large quantities, but hemlock root poses a far greater threat, necessitating immediate veterinary care if a pet comes into contact.
Hemlock water dropwort roots, also known as ‘dead man’s fingers’ (Image: Milom Coastguard Rescue Team)
Tragic outcomes have befallen several dogs who, after beach walks with their owners in both Cornwall and Carmarthenshire, south-west Wales, exhibited severe symptoms such as sickness and diarrhoea from ingesting mysterious substances.
Hemlock, which stands as one of the most lethal plants for humans and animals in the northern hemisphere, has added urgency to the warning.
Cornwall resident and coffee shop owner Djamila Bousksou faced heartbreaking loss when her three year old English Bull Terrier, Duke, succumbed to exposure after a stroll at Little Fistral in Newquay.
Speaking to , she recounted the gruesome symptoms that Duke experienced: “severe vomiting, a collapsed oesophagus and bloody diarrhoea”.
Duke had to be put down (Image: /)
The harrowing decision was made not to prolong Duke’s suffering further, leading to surgery in a desperate attempt to find a remedy.
She explained: “We decided we didn’t want Duke to suffer such a rollercoaster any longer and as a final last resort the vets opened up his stomach in the tiny hope they could find some answer or way to save him.”
“But they found nothing but toxicity, toxic foul-smelling fluid and inflamed and collapsed intestines; and kindly delivered him from his suffering by not waking him up again.”
In an interview with , Lottie James shared her distressing experience when her nine-month-old puppy fell ill after a visit to Llansteffan beach in Carmarthenshire.
Fistral Beach, Newquay (Image: Western Morning News)
The 29 year old has already spent £250 on veterinary bills, but she knows other dog owners who have shelled out over £1,000 to help their pets recover after trips to the same beach.
She told the : “We noticed in the evening she became really withdrawn, wasn’t drinking or eating her food, taking herself to her cage which she never does. We took her to the vet, because I could see that she was in quite a lot of pain, her tail was between her legs, she was very weak, off her food, off her fluids. It has scared us a little. We’re going to wait and see until maybe something is done about it.”
After sharing her ordeal on the Pobl Llansteffan Facebook page, Ms James’s post received over 60 comments, with several people reporting similar problems with their dogs following visits to the beach, according to
Elizabeth Mcfadden, 65, from Llangain, has shared a distressing account of her six year old papillon, Sprite, falling ill after trips to Llansteffan beach. “The first time it happened was about two weeks ago,” she recounted.
“I could hear him gagging and being ill in the night. I got up and he’d been quite ill in the bedroom in his little bed. I washed it and then Saturday night (25 January) he was sick again. I’d been to the beach that day and he was ill that evening.”
Duke who is among the four dogs who have died (Image: /)
Despite the worrying incidents, Ms Mcfadden continues to take Sprite to her beloved Llansteffan daily but remains concerned about potential dangers such as hemlock or water contaminants.
She added: “It is worrying to think there could be something like hemlock, or something in the water that could be making our dogs ill.”
In a concerning development for dog owners, advice has been issued to steer clear of certain Cornwall beaches following reports of canine illnesses, some of which have had fatal outcomes.
Fistral Beach and Little Fistral in Newquay have come under scrutiny as dog walkers have noticed their pets getting sick after visits.
These popular dog-friendly beaches are not alone in the Newquay area for such alarming occurrences. Since the start of the year, at least two devastated owners have lost their beloved dogs despite seeking immediate veterinary attention.
Fistral beach in Newquay (Image: Cornwall Live/BPM MEDIA)
Dog owners in Newquay are being warned to steer clear of Fistral and Little Fistral areas following reports of pets falling ill with symptoms such as lethargy and vomiting, as described by .
Newquay Town Council, while acknowledging the rise in such distressing cases, has urged locals to address their concerns to Cornwall Council, stating: “We have received a number of calls and messages about dogs becoming very unwell after visiting the Fistral/Little Fistral area. Cornwall Council are aware of this. For now, we’d advise avoiding that area with your dogs. If you have any further questions, please contact Cornwall Council directly.”
Adding to the statement, a spokesperson for Cornwall Council reported: “We have received reports that Hemlock roots, which can be poisonous to animals, have washed up in the Fistral and Little Fistral area.”
They elaborated on the situation: “Hemlock is native to Cornwall. During the winter it can be washed downstream from riverbanks and ends up on our beaches. As a precaution, we are putting up signs urging dog owners to be vigilant and keep their pets on a lead.”
Further afield, Carmarthenshire Council is also paying heed to the matter, alerting dog walkers to remain cautious, while Natural Resources Wales and Welsh Water have not identified any pollution events in the affected regions.
The Llansteffan and Llanybri Community Council, in partnership with Carmarthenshire Council, has acknowledged the long-standing tradition of locals using the village green in Llansteffan for dog walking and other recreational activities. They pointed out that: “Over the winter and spring, this area can become waterlogged after days of heavy rainfall, creating puddles and standing water, which dissipate naturally over time.”
A public warning has been issued regarding hemlock, a poisonous plant that produces umbrella-like clusters of white flowers in the summer.
The council clarified that it’s “not likely to be found on dynamic, exposed areas such as beaches, unless its roots are washed up on shore”.
Councillor Aled Vaughan Owen, responsible for public protection, has “strongly advised” dog owners to stop their pets from eating such roots and to keep them on a leash when near them.
In addition, Natural Resources Wales has stated they have “not received any reports of pollution incidents in this area”, and Welsh Water has confirmed that they are “not aware of any problems with our assets near to Llansteffan beach”.