Advice to pet owners

Published6th February 2018

Two incidents of dogs dying after visits to beaches in Norfolk and Suffolk have been attributed to the pets eating highly toxic shellfish.

The Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority said the dogs were killed by Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning. This is caused by consuming shellfish contaminated with dinoflagellate algae, a deadly naturally occurring toxin.

There is no risk to pets or people from the seawater but the advice is keep an eye on your dogs and don’t let them don’t eat anything washed up on the beach. This advice covers the Orwell estuary at Orwell Country Park.

If you want to report any incidents like this in Ipswich involving your pet please telephone Ipswich Borough Council’s Environmental Health team on 01473 433115.