This is a heads-up for any of my dog-owning/walking friends who might be contemplating visiting Mersea Island during the half-term break and taking a walk with their dogs along the beach .....a local lady walked her two dogs yesterday along the beach (west to east - from the Monkey Steps to the Barbie beach huts at Seaview end) - and they were both taken ill - they've both consumed some sort of poison and sadly one has died and the other is still extremely ill and fighting for life. Until we know what's the cause of this, forget about walking the dogs along the beach - and also keep a close eye on the children too!
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Really worrying this.

I believe it could be Palm Oil

Just curious as to why Palm oil? Isn't it used as a food additive?

Palm oil is lethal if eaten by dogs.  It has been found on U.K. beaches for over a year now, especially along the south coast. It seems not to be there all the time. I will not walk my dogs on beaches at the moment ( fortunately I don't enjoy beach walks.) Then again, we have the Alabama Rot type illness which can originate on forest areas.  Is anywhere safe?

Doesn't sound like it does it. We've had cases of AR in Sussex and also palm oil.

How do you identify it? it would be really useful to know what it looks like.

https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=palm%20oil%20on%20beaches%20uk

articles about where - quite a lot and also pictures.

Wow, not heard about this before (comes from living in Derbyshire I suppose). Thank you for the link, forewarned is forearmed.

Its worrying for everyone who walks dogs on the beach and as Grets said we have Alabama rot to contend with as well now. We do not often walk on the beaches but we do walk in woods so I keep a very careful eye on legs and look out for sores. However I think by the time the lesions have erupted its got a hold and things are very serious. You must be worried every time you walk the forest Grets ?
Aileen

I'm not trying to "teach my granny to suck eggs" but ... I've seen it advised to wash mud off (&presumably sand?) after walks - especially in danger areas.

Wont stop it apparently but they are recommending it. AR info can be found on Anderson Moores website for up to date info on what to look for, areas affected and anything else of interest.

Notice is our vets this week that Palm oil has been found on beaches here in the West Wight.

> Palm oil is lethal if eaten by dogs.  It has been found on U.K. beaches for over a year now, especially along the south coast. It seems not to be there all the time. I will not walk my dogs on beaches at the moment ( fortunately I don't enjoy beach walks.) Then again, we have the Alabama Rot type illness which can originate on forest areas.  Is anywhere safe?

It's been around here in N.Cornwall too ..... thankfully we don't apparently have Alabama Rot here (yet!) but indeed, is anywhere safe!!

We don't do beach walks either however.   But thanks for posting the warning.

Palm Oil has been a problem on beaches in Wales too. Might be a good idea to avoid all beaches for the time being.

Anyone know if the North Sea coastline has had Palm oil problems, particularly the Suffolk area as we will probably be off there next month?

We are off to the Northumberland coast soon, any been seen there?

I think you can get palm oil washing up anywhere but unless you have a dog who eats anything I wouldn't worry. I've seen it (and filled bags with it) on both the east coast (Dunbar) and the west coast (Irvine) of Scotland but it doesn't stop me walking there, my dogs have never even looked at it - it looks and smells a bit like firelighters.

If you are worried about your area, google your 'area' and the words 'palm oil'. If there are any (news) reports from that area, google will show them.