The council has lifted warnings to dog walkers and a ban on water sports around Antrim's Loughshore area after investigations into the deaths of three family pets concluded without a cause being established.
Two dogs died suddenly after walking in the area in May within an hour of becoming sick. Reports to the council of the deaths triggered an investigation by Antrim and Newtownabbey Council and the NI Environment Agency into potential toxins in the water. The death of the third dog that had occurred on March 22, was reported to the council two months later. And DogsLive understands a fourth family also lost their dog in similar circumstances in Spring.
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All had been healthy dogs and suffered the sudden onset of seizures following separate walks with different families in the same area.
Worried families, dog lovers and animal charities issued urgent warnings in May to the public about the issue, and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough followed suit a week after the dogs died, warning water users and pet owners to stay out of Lough Neagh. In June the council issued a fresh warning as mystery continued over the cause of the sudden deaths.
However on August 2, the council withdrew its warnings against leisure activities around the Loughshore stating the investigation had concluded with no definitive cause of death had been established. They said : "Reassurance is provided this was not caused by any toxins."
A spokesperson said for Antrim and Newtownabbey Council said: "Along with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, we have concluded our respective investigations regarding circumstances surrounding the deaths of three dogs over a period of time in the Antrim Loughshore and immediate areas.
"NIEA had collected water samples to look for the presence of blue green algae and none were found. In addition a water sample was taken for a broad sweep of organic substances but nothing of significance was detected. The substances that were identified are commonly found at low levels in rivers and lakes across Northern Ireland.
"In May 2022, Council also undertook biological water sampling with the bathing water quality being described as ‘excellent’ against the relevant standard. At that time Council also made arrangements for the post mortem of one dog by University College Dublin’s Veterinary Hospital.
"After a comprehensive post mortem process and extensive toxicology screening against a database of greater than 50,000 compounds, no toxic organic compounds were present and nothing microscopically observed to explain the unexpected death of this family pet.
"Council have continued to liaise with the families concerned. We hope that through the respective investigations, whilst no definitive cause of death has been established, reassurance is provided this was not caused by any toxins.
"Council will now lift the precautionary advice that was issued in respect of water sports."
