Puppy dies after swimming in toxic algae-filled lake

By James Connolly

A puppy died just hours after swallowing toxic blue-green algae on a trip to one of Britain's most popular beauty spots.

Ozzy, a 10-month-old Border collie, fell ill after playing in Coniston Water, Cumbria, on Saturday, June 27, leaving his family devastated.

Owner Lucy Hull, 31, said: “It doesn't feel real. It was just a normal day.

"He was there one minute, and gone the next. We just can't get our heads around it."

Lucy and partner Andrew, 31, had taken Ozzy paddleboarding at Coniston — a lake they visit regularly.

She said the energetic youngster loved chasing waves and snapping at the water as they spent around an hour on the lake.

Lucy said Ozzy was sick afterward — but the couple initially assumed he had simply swallowed too much water because he often vomited after hydrotherapy sessions.

She said: "But we realized he was being sick more than usual. We just felt something was off."

Ozzy was sick twice during the drive home before becoming increasingly lethargic.

Lucy said: "We thought he'd just worn himself out.

"It got to the point where we lifted his head up and he was dribbling — his gums looked paler than usual.

"I said his name and he didn't even look at me.

"Then he fell off the backseat and he wasn't moving.

"We got him out of the car and he was just floppy. He fell on the ground."

Emergency veterinarians ruled out water intoxication after an ultrasound found no water remaining in Ozzy's stomach.

Instead, they believed he was suffering from blue-green algae poisoning.

Coniston Mountain Rescue Team has confirmed that blue‑green algae is present at Coniston Water.

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The algae forms blooms in warm, still conditions and can appear as green or blue‑green scum, streaks or "paint-like" discoloration on the surface of lakes, tarns and ponds.

The Environment Agency warns that people and animals should avoid any water with visible scum or discoloration, as some blooms produce potent toxins that can cause severe illness and death in animals.

The British Veterinary Association and pet charities describe blue‑green algae as highly poisonous and potentially fatal to dogs even in small amounts.

Veterinarians placed Ozzy on oxygen, put him on an IV and used a breathing machine as they fought to save him.

Lucy said: "He just stopped breathing completely, but he did still have a heartbeat.

"But his brain hadn't had oxygen for so long that if he came to, he would be brain dead.

"The vets told us they had tried everything."

The following day, despite being heartbroken, Lucy and Andrew returned to Coniston to warn other visitors.

She said: "We didn't want to get out of bed — but we had to let people know.

"There were other dogs in the water.

"We spoke to every person warning them about it."

Lucy said she only noticed one warning sign about blue-green algae at Coniston, which she believes was too easy to miss.

She is now considering raising money to print additional warning posters.

She said: "We feel like we let Ozzy down.

"But a huge amount of people have told me they'd never heard of blue-green algae poisoning."

Describing Ozzy, she said: "He got so much attention and he loved it. He loved life and everyone around him.

"He was so friendly and clever."

Veterinarians advise dog owners to seek emergency treatment immediately if a pet has been in suspect water and then develops symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, breathing difficulties, weakness or collapse.

Because different toxins act at different speeds, they warn that signs may appear very rapidly or be delayed, so owners should contact a veterinarian as soon as they realize a dog may have drunk or swum in contaminated water.