A stark warning has been issued to dog owners after a “killer” poison plant which has been spotted on the shores of multiple UK beaches. Around four dogs have sadly died so far and many more taken unwell after going for walks on popular beaches in the likes of Cornwall and Carmarthenshire, southwest Wales.
Worried owners are suggesting their pups might have digested the deadly Hemlock Roots, which causes the pooches to suffer diarrhoea and sickness. The plant, which is nicknamed “dead man’s fingers”, is widely recorded as the most toxic plant to both humans and animals growing in the northern hemisphere.
Sightings of the “poison parsnips” have led Carmarthenshire County Council and Cornwall Council to advise dog walkers to stay away from their beaches for the time being. The authorities also told owners to “stay vigilant” and recommended they seek assistance from a vet as soon as possible if their hound has ingested or touched the plant.
A three-year-old English Bull Terrier, named Duke, was one of the dogs who recently died after being taken for a walk at Little Fistral in Newquay, Cornwall, reports the Mirror. His owner Djamila Bousksou said his beloved pet had to be admitted to the ICU after he suddenly developed “severe vomiting, a collapsed oesophagus and bloody diarrhoea”.
The local business owner said the pain of losing Duke was “unbearable and immeasurable”, calling the canine as a “strong, happy and loyal well-behaved boy”.
Describing Duke’s treatment, Ms Bousksou told Voice Newspapers: “We decided we didn’t want Duke to suffer such a rollercoaster any longer and as a final last resort the vets opened up his stomach in the tiny hope they could find some answer or way to save him.
“But they found nothing but toxicity, toxic foul-smelling fluid and inflamed and collapsed intestines; and kindly delivered him from his suffering by not waking him up again.”
A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: “We have received reports that Hemlock roots, which can be poisonous to animals, have washed up in the Fistral and Little Fistral area.
“Hemlock is native to Cornwall. During the winter it can be washed downstream from riverbanks and ends up on our beaches. As a precaution, we are putting up signs urging dog owners to be vigilant and keep their pets on a lead.”
Newquay Town Council added: “We have received a number of calls and messages about dogs becoming very unwell after visiting the Fistral/Little Fistral area. Cornwall Council are aware of this. For now, we’d advise avoiding that area with your dogs. If you have any further questions, please contact Cornwall Council directly.”