Garravogue Algal Scum Risk To People And Pets - Council

WARNING NOTICES have been posted at Riverside of potential risks to people and pets from an algal scum on the Garavogue River during the current warm spell.

Sligo County Council Director of Services Tom Kilfeather signed the notices, dated Friday May 25th 2012.

The warning was added to the Council's website and said: "Strictly as a precautionary measure, Sligo County Council wishes to advise that due to an algal scum in the Garavogue River near the footbridge and weir at Riverside and along the river bank at Doorly Park, farmers and pet owners should ensure that their animals do not have access to the affected waters until further notice.


Avoid contact

"The public are advised to avoid contact with any algal scum and surrounding water as there may be a potential health health risk from contact with, or ingestion of, the scum," warned the County Council notice.

Sligo Wildlife Aid posted a notice on its Facebook page later on Friday evening from a pet owner who said her dog was poisoned at the river on Thursday.

The site also suggested that a dead fish had been sent for laboratory analysis.

The Sligo Wildlife Aid group appealed for 'caution' until further information is provided, in response to a number of later postings on its Facebook page.

On Friday night the Wildlife Aid site published a message headed in capital letters: "This is a message from a young lady in Riverside, Sligo, as a warning re: some poisonous pollutant that is in waters of Garavogue River. This apparently cost her, her pet. Please pay attention."


Water tested

The woman's note then said: "Attention dog owners: Please do not allow your dogs to swim or drink in the river in Sligo as there is a sort of toxin in the water. My dog was poisoned down at the river yesterday and shortly passed away within two hours.

"If your dog does happen to drink from the water watch out for sign's of foaming at the mouth, unfocused eyes, heavy breathing and kicking its legs. If your dog does show signs of this please get it to the vets immediately. This water is very dangerous and can cause serious health issues to the dog or it may cause death in critical cases. The water has been tested today to recover the source of it.

"Please share this to stop other dogs in the area from being harmed," the woman's appeal concluded.

The Council's appeal was disregarded by some who dipped in the river adjacent the affected spots as temperatures sizzled on Sunday evening.

COUNCIL UPDATE :

RE: WATERS AT RIVERSIDE, SLIGO.

Following on from concerns expressed about algae on the Garavogue River, Sligo  County Council has carried out an investigation and sent a sample for specialist analysis and advice. The results of this sample have indicated that the algae in question are not toxic.

The Council advise that, as a precaution, any contact with any algal growth should always be avoided and pets should not be allowed into the water where algal growths are evident.