Algae warnings issued amid pets risk

Image source, Rainbow Hot Air Balloon Team

Image caption, The algae is potentially fatal to animals
At a glance
  • Algae warnings posted at Shropshire meres
  • Pet owners told to keep animals out of water at Ellesmere and Colemere
  • The county council is working with the Environment Agency to monitor the water
  • The toxins can kill wild animals, farm livestock and pets
  • Author, Vanessa Pearce
  • Role, 91热爆 News, West Midlands

Visitors to stretches of water in Shropshire are being warned not to allow their pets to enter due to potentially toxic algae.

Signs have been posted around the Mere in Ellesmere and nearby Colemere after blue-green algae's early arrival.

The naturally-occurring substance can kill wild animals, farm livestock and domestic pets, says the county council.

In humans they can cause rashes after skin contact, and illnesses if swallowed.

The council said it was working with the Environment Agency to explore reasons the algae has appeared earlier than in recent years.

鈥淣ot all blue-green algae blooms and scums are toxic, but you can鈥檛 tell just by looking at them, so it鈥檚 best to assume they are and to respect the warnings," said the authority.

The council said it was continuing to monitor the situation.