‘No water-borne toxic plants’ detected but owners urged to be vigilant after ‘sudden’ death of two dogs at Blackhead Path beach
Owners are urged to be vigilant about what their pets ingest following the death of two dogs in recent weeks at an east Antrim beauty spot.
The advice comes from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) after the incidents on the beach at Blackhead Path.
East Antrim MLA Cheryl Brownlee, who asked the department and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to investigate, also urged caution from pet owners.
In a statement the DUP representative said last week she was “made aware of two separate incidents where dogs have sadly collapsed and passed away suddenly after coming off the beach at Blackhead Path”.
She added: "This is an extremely concerning and distressing situation which I have raised directly with council officers and the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
“In the meantime I would urge all those who use this extremely popular path to exercise caution and ensure pets do not enter the beach until there is certainty of their safety.”
DAERA confirmed officers have inspected the area and nothing untoward was found.
Responding to the Carrick Times, a DAERA spokesperson said: “A dog death was reported to the Department on 4 October, following the dog entering the water off the Blackhead Path on 1 October and subsequently dying on 3 October. The owner reported that the dog had eaten something that resembled apple cores.
“Departmental officers from both NIEA and DAERA Marine and Fisheries Division made site visits on 4 October and 10 October respectively to the Blackhead Path looking for any evidence of water-borne toxic plants such as hemlock water dropwort. No such plants were found.
“The advice from the Department is that dog owners should remain vigilant to ensure their pets do not ingest unknown material.”
The spokesperson added that no other incidents have been reported at this location.
Meanwhile, a council spokesperson said: “Mid and East Antrim Borough Council was made aware of this issue in early October and forwarded all relevant information to the DAERA pollution hotline number. Council has not been made aware of any further incidents.”