Wiltshire Police has issued a warning over dog-killing bacteria present in Shearwater Lake.
Officers say the blue-green algae has been confirmed at the popular Warminster beauty spot, sparking the site to erect yellow signs warning people not to access, or allow dogs to access, the water.
“Any person visiting the lake should not attempt to enter the water as this can cause a number of medical problems if contact is directly made with the skin or ingested”, a police spokesperson said.
Adding: “Dogs should be walked on a lead and should not be allowed to enter or drink the water when the algae is present as this is very toxic to them. If your dog does get access to the water then please contact a vet as soon as possible to take their advice.”
Many dogs have died after ingesting the bacteria, which can also prove fatal to humans.
Last week, Wiltshire 999s reported warnings issued by the Cotswold Water Park Trust over blue-green algae found in a number of lakes on the North Wiltshire-Gloucestershire border.
A Blue Cross spokesperson said: “Blooms of blue-green algae can produce harmful toxins which stop a dog’s liver from functioning properly. However, not all types of blue-green algae are dangerous.
“Sadly, exposure to toxic blue-green algae is often fatal, and can also cause long term health problems in dogs that survive after drinking or swimming in algae-contaminated water. Some types of blue-green algae can kill a dog just 15 minutes to an hour after drinking contaminated water.
“Dogs who have been swimming in water can get the algae caught in their fur, and can ingest it while cleaning themselves later on.
“Concentrations of the algae vary throughout the year and may not always be harmful – but you can’t tell simply by looking at them whether or not they are dangerous, so it is best not to run the risk of allowing your dog to come into contact with water where the algae may be present.”
