The devastated owners of dogs who died suddenly after exercising at a Co Fermanagh beauty spot have been told toxic Blue Green Algae was found in tests taken a week later.
Six dogs are now believed to have suffered agonising deaths after walking in the Lough Melvin area - none of them had been in the water.
Independent tests were organised by the family members who are waiting to see if the results match those taken in samples collected by Northern Ireland Environment Agency five days later.
Read more: Axel's family won't give up without answers
The agency had been told none of the dogs had been in the water and they were offered help by owners to to pinpoint the exact area of concern including Axel, a rescue pup from Belfast and Mollie, an eight-year-old rescue from Garrison, Co Fermanagh.
They were also told each of the dogs had been in contact with a black sludge material on shore. However
- The NIEA took only water samples on their first visit to the lough which showed no toxic algae
Further dogs died after samples were taken and before warning signs were erected
Three days later following the deaths of two further dogs, the NIEA returned to the area
- Follow up samples included decomposing material the families had initially directed the agency to.
The family of one dog who dead after exercising near a lough in Co Fermanagh, say they are determined to get all answers in a bid to prevent others suffering the same devastation.
Their 11-month-old rescue dog Axel, a Saluki Lurcher cross, suffered an agonising end less than 25 minutes after he had been on dry land near Lough Melvin on Wednesday, May 31.
His owners, both retired professionals, took shoreline and water samples which are being processed now.
A Spokesperson for DAERA said: “The Northern Ireland Environment Agency received a report on Thursday evening 1 June of the death of a dog on 31 May 2023 at Lough Melvin, Garrison.
“A subsequent report of the death of another dog was received on 2 June 2023. A Water Quality Officer was tasked to investigate for evidence of water pollution.
“At the time of the inspection on 2 June, the inspector did not observe any evidence of an algal bloom, dead fish or any other signs of water pollution including sewage in the water. However, as a precautionary measure a water sample was taken for algal analysis.”
Two more dogs died after walking on the shore line before warning signs were put in place advising people and pets to stay out of the water.
And three days after taking their initial tests, NIEA returned to Lough Melvin to collect other samples, this time including the black sludge material the families had been so concerned about.
A spokesman for DAERA said: “NIEA staff returned to Lough Melvin on 5 June and on this occasion did observe an algae bloom on the lake and collected further samples from both the lake and shoreline.
“Analysis by NIEA has confirmed the presence of ‘blue green algae’ of the genus Microcystis sp. and Anabaena sp. in the water as well as colonies of Oscillatoria sp. within decomposed material on the shoreline.
“All three genus of algae can produce toxins that are harmful to humans and often fatal to pets if ingested.
“The results have been shared with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council who have erected signage warning the public of the presence of blue-green algae. Authorities in Republic of Ireland have also been informed of the results.”
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have been asked when signage has been updated warning owners of the dangers along the Lough Melvin shoreline.
DAERA and the council have been been asked to explain their Northern Ireland action plan on dealing with Blue Green Algae and information about a clean up.
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