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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Dartford lake closed after three dogs 'poisoned' by water | Dartford lake closed after three dogs 'poisoned' by water |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A fishing lake is to remain sealed off for at least a week after three dogs died and seven others fell sick. | A fishing lake is to remain sealed off for at least a week after three dogs died and seven others fell sick. |
| Kent Police said the animals, which were all being walked by a minder, had been drinking from Brooklands Lake in Powder Mill Lane, Dartford. | Kent Police said the animals, which were all being walked by a minder, had been drinking from Brooklands Lake in Powder Mill Lane, Dartford. |
| The water has been "completely closed" to anglers and walkers while the Environment Agency runs tests. | The water has been "completely closed" to anglers and walkers while the Environment Agency runs tests. |
| The vets treating the dogs said algae poisoning was thought to be the cause. Police have ruled out foul play. | The vets treating the dogs said algae poisoning was thought to be the cause. Police have ruled out foul play. |
| 'Suddenly toxic' | 'Suddenly toxic' |
| Parkvets surgery in Sidcup said blue-green algae produced a potential toxin at this time of year and throughout the summer. | Parkvets surgery in Sidcup said blue-green algae produced a potential toxin at this time of year and throughout the summer. |
| "This means that water that was previously safe can suddenly become toxic," said vet Emily Brady. | "This means that water that was previously safe can suddenly become toxic," said vet Emily Brady. |
| "There are also serious health risks to humans who come into contact with infected water." | "There are also serious health risks to humans who come into contact with infected water." |
| Initial symptoms, which include muscle tremors, vomiting, diarrhoea and seizures, can lead to death in as little as 15 minutes. | Initial symptoms, which include muscle tremors, vomiting, diarrhoea and seizures, can lead to death in as little as 15 minutes. |
| Lindsey Olney's six-month-old boxer puppy, Stanley, was one of the dogs which died. | Lindsey Olney's six-month-old boxer puppy, Stanley, was one of the dogs which died. |
| Ms Olney, from Bexleyheath, dropped her pet off with a dog minder on Tuesday morning and said she was "devastated and heartbroken". | Ms Olney, from Bexleyheath, dropped her pet off with a dog minder on Tuesday morning and said she was "devastated and heartbroken". |
| "They told me one of the other dogs started to have fits," she said. | "They told me one of the other dogs started to have fits," she said. |
| "So they put all of the dogs into the car then my puppy started fitting as well. | "So they put all of the dogs into the car then my puppy started fitting as well. |
| "They gave him CPR and drove him to the vets. They had their stomachs pumped." | "They gave him CPR and drove him to the vets. They had their stomachs pumped." |
| Dartford Borough Council leader Jeremy Kite said: "It is heartbreaking. Everyone knows how important dogs are to families. | Dartford Borough Council leader Jeremy Kite said: "It is heartbreaking. Everyone knows how important dogs are to families. |
| "To lose one is appalling, to lose several in these circumstances is absolutely outrageous." | "To lose one is appalling, to lose several in these circumstances is absolutely outrageous." |
| A spokesman for Kent Police said no criminal offences had been committed and the matter was being handled by the council and the Environment Agency. | A spokesman for Kent Police said no criminal offences had been committed and the matter was being handled by the council and the Environment Agency. |
| "The lake will remain closed for a least a week... and police are asking people to avoid the area," he added. | "The lake will remain closed for a least a week... and police are asking people to avoid the area," he added. |
| The Environment Agency said water samples taken from the lake were being analysed in its laboratories and results were expected next week. | |
| It said it would "continue to support our partners, including Dartford Borough Council and Kent Police, as they work to understand the potential risk." | It said it would "continue to support our partners, including Dartford Borough Council and Kent Police, as they work to understand the potential risk." |
| Its officers have returned to the site to check on the lake and local wildlife. | Its officers have returned to the site to check on the lake and local wildlife. |
| Although it was not believed any fish had been harmed, fishing at the lake has been suspended. | Although it was not believed any fish had been harmed, fishing at the lake has been suspended. |
| People were also advised to stay away from the lake in 2013 when poisonous blue-green algae was found after a spell of hot and dry weather. | People were also advised to stay away from the lake in 2013 when poisonous blue-green algae was found after a spell of hot and dry weather. |