‘When in doubt, stay out,’ warns expert expert after toxic algae kills dogs

RICHMOND, Va. -- Experts who have studied the harmful impacts of contaminated waters warn dog owners in Central Virginia that "when in doubt, stay out."

The fears come after three dogs died after frolicking in a pond in Wilmington, North Carolina, while another succumbed after a swim in Lake Allatoona, Georgia.


Margaret Smigo serves as the Waterborne Hazards Program Coordinator for the Virginia Department of Health.

She also serves as the Virginia Harmful Algae Bloom Task Force Coordinator. The task force is made up of several agencies that work together to respond to algae bloom events, also known as cyanobacteria or blue-green algae.

A doggy play date in a North Carolina pond turned tragic after three pups died from toxic algae. Now, their owners say they hope their loss will educate fellow dog lovers about the dangerous blooms.

"If it says not to swim for humans, it’s not safe for your pets to swim either," Smigo warned.

Currently, the Virginia Department of Health says the closest cases of harmful bacteria to Richmond metro is at Lake Anna in Spotsylvania, Louisa, and Orange Counties.

Advisories also exist at Mint Springs in Albemarle County, according to Smigo.

So far, no dog deaths nor illnesses have been linked to the harmful algae in Virginia.

But, that doesn't calm the concerns from dog owners like Lloyd Cope. He doesn't allow his dog, Odin, to splash in or drink the water at Richmond's Byrd Park.

"I'm just one of the kind of guys that gives them clean water and that’s about it, because I worry about them. I would never really let them drink out of this," Cope said.

He recalls a devastating time when a friend's dog died after being exposed to harmful bacteria several years ago.

"A friend of ours two years ago had her dog out on the Huguenot Flat Water area who was drinking water all day long while playing in the river," Cope remembered. "They came home shortly after went into some sort of respiratory arrest and liver failure. Within 48 hours her dog passed away and they said it was acute liver failure due to toxins ingestion likely some sort of algae toxin."

There are no confirmed reports of the harmful algae in the Richmond metro area.

Smigo said the Virginia Department of Health often relies on the public to be notified of contaminated water.

"It’s always best to avoid water that’s discolored, it has a foul-smelling odor, perhaps it has gnats or scums on the surface," she explained.

Citizens can support of possible harmful waters to the state at their website SwimHealthVA.com.


What is toxic algae?




Where do these algae grow?



What do toxic algae look like?



How do I know if my dog has been exposed?





How do I keep my dog safe?


Can I be harmed by the algae?




The CNN Wire contributed to this article. 
