Why you should keep dogs out of water after couple's beloved pet dies after walk
Hannah May Washington and Jordan Shearman have urged dog owners to be extra careful on walks after the death of tragic Cocker Spaniel Roo.
If you're out on a walk with your dog on a hot day - and they seem to be fairly common at the moment - it's only natural that your furry friend might want to splash into a burn or pond to cool off. And as long as there are no superfast currents or hidden drops, surely they'll be fine, right?
Not necessarily. One couple sadly said goodbye to their beloved pet after a seemingly innocent dook in a lake. And they are warning all dog owners to be careful when around water with their pooches, just in case the worst could happen to them too, Wiltshire Live reports.
Hannah May Washington and boyfriend Jordan Shearman were out in Anton Lankes in Andover, Hampshire, on April 30, 2022, with one-year-old Cocker Spaniel Roo.
Their pup loved splashing around in the water on their regular walks there, but there was something amiss on this trip. The couple said: "We have taken Roo to the lakes many times before, but not so much recently, and did notice that a lot of the areas he would usually swim, was incredibly dirty, much more so than normal, so we didn't spend so much time swimming in those areas, however he did jump in briefly for a lot of them"
Anton Lakes sits just north of Andover, and boasts a river and a lake within its nature reserve. Despite its beauty, it was suspected that there may have been blue-green algae in the water, which is deadly to dogs.
According to the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the substance is a type of bacteria which can produce toxic chemicals that are very harmful to both humans and animals. It naturally occurs in lakes, ponds, canals, rivers, and reservoirs.
UKCEH said: "They are particularly a health risk during warm summer months when their concentrations increase in the water to form blooms and scums on the surface. This can look like green or turquoise wispy paint, green scum or clumps of green particles".
Roo's walk seemed to be fairly normal until the pup's eyes appeared a bit droopy towards the end of the trip. The couple said: "We figured he had gotten too much water in his eyes so we decided to end the walk and return to the car".
But on the way home, Hannah "knew straight away something was wrong" as the dog was unsettled and struggling to stand up. They rushed Roo straight to Strathmore Veterinary Clinic.
Hannah said: "While in my arms Roo began to have fits, struggling to breath, foaming at the mouth, it was the worst experience of my life having to hold him, speaking to him, telling him mummy and daddy loved him."
But in the 15 minutes it took to get to the vets, the Cocker Spaniel pup had become worryingly pale and struggling to breathe. His heart then stopped beating and, around 7pm that day, Roo tragically passed away.
Hannah said: "Our worst nightmare had officially happened, our precious, young, baby Roo had lost his life, so suddenly."
The couple, who were 23 and 24 at the time, had just celebrated one year living together in their first home. Speaking about Roo, Hannah said: "He was everything in our lives, quite literally. Our lives, our habits, our plans, revolved around our lovely pup, and so I can't even begin to describe the pain we are in."
Hannah and Jordan shared their story as a warning to dog owners about the dangers of blue-green algae, and how deadly it can be.
Test Valley Borough Council tested the water in the days after Roo's death, issuing a warning to locals to "please keep dogs out of the water" at Anton Lakes.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
At the time, Councillor Phil North said: 'As a fellow dog owner, I was extremely saddened to hear about Roo's passing following a walk at Anton Lakes.
"Although no cause of death has been confirmed with the council, following feedback from the vet we are taking a precautionary approach and are working with the Environment Agency to test the water for blue-green algae.
'This algae occurs naturally in bodies of freshwater but can be potentially dangerous to people and their pets. We are hoping to receive the results of the tests by the end of next week, and while we await the outcome, we are recommending that people and pets stay out of the water. Residents and pet owners can find out more about blue-green algae and its effects via the Kennel Club website.'
In August that year, Miniature Jack Russell Maple also died after a walk at Anton Lakes. The water was tested again and "low levels" of blue-green algae were found.
According to the Kennel Club the effects of blue-green algae on dogs may vary but there are some recognised effects including:
dribbling
tiredness
vomiting and diarrhoea (both of which may be bloody)
effects on the heart and blood pressure
convulsions
problems breathing
organ failure
They add that signs often start within an hour, but may occur within a few minutes, or can sometimes be delayed by a few days. Many cases are life threatening and dogs can die very quickly.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
.jpeg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26auto%3Dwebp%26quality%3D75%26crop%3D3%3A2%2Csmart%26trim%3D&w=3840&q=100)
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Scotsman
Therapy Dogs 2025: Here are the 13 best breeds of empathic dog to become therapy pets - including the loving Labrador 🐶
We're a nation of dog lovers, with around one-in-three households including at least one four-legged friend . By far the most popular pet in the UK, they make for wonderful companions, all the while improving both our mental and physical health - and that's a scientific fact. The army of dog owners continues to grow, with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds . Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don't have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies. There's also always the option of adopting a dog from a dog shelter for a minimal fee - for example from the Dogs Trust . And one thing you might like to consider is that some breeds are known for having near-magical properties when it comes to comforting people who are ill or in need of affection and compassion. These so-called 'therapy dogs' are empaths that can tell what people need when it comes to pats and snuggles. They need to be easy to train, friendly, sociable and - above all - loving. Here are 13 of best therapy dog breeds. 1 . Labrador Retriever The Labrador Retriever is the UK's - and the world's - most popular dog. The attributes that make it such a great pet are the same that makes it a fine therapy dog - quick learners who are massively friendly and empathic. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 2 . Cocker Spaniel Affectionate and eager to please, Cocker Spaniels have a soothing temperament. Their manageable size and loving nature make them effective therapy dogs for both children and adults needing emotional support. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 3 . Golden Retriever What is true of the Labrador Retriever tends to also hold true for its close cousin the Golden Retriever - and that's the case for their supreme suitability as a therapy dog. Plus, they have the advantage of having a longer coat - perfect for running your hands through. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 4 . Greyhound Surprisingly gentle and calm, Greyhounds are affectionate and quiet. Their laid-back personalities make them soothing companions, especially for anxiety sufferers and elderly individuals seeking calm, non-demanding interaction. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
The £3.50 M&S buy homeowners are using to make their whole house smell like a ‘boujee candle' without a single flame
A HOMEOWNER has revealed how she gets her whole house to smell like she's had a "boujee candle" burning all day - without lighting a single flame. Hannah explained she's a big fan of the cleaning products in Marks & Spencer, with the green tea and bergamot £3.50 concentrated disinfectant among her favourites. 3 3 And as well as using the liquid in its intentional way, she's also figured out a clever hack to make her home smell like the scent. "Fill a sink with some M&S disinfectant and your house will smell like you've burnt a boujee candle all day!" she wrote over a video on her TikTok page. "I'm sorry but this smell..." she captioned the video. And people were quick to comment on the clip, with one writing: "Need to try this, love their cleaning products!" "The almond toilet gel as well," Hannah replied. "Ooh this would be great in my hand steamer too," another added. "Just need to check it's pet friendly!" "I fill a dishmatic brush and do my radiators and skirtings every few days too," a third revealed. "We do this too!" someone else added. "Yessss I do this with Zoflora when it's on sale," another admitted. Shoppers are racing to buy 'nostalgic' homeware from M&S - it's like being 'transported back in time' & looks 'designer' And the positive reviews of the disinfectant kept on coming in the reviews section on the Ocado website - where you can nab the product online. "I just love the floral fragrance- doesn't smell like a disinfectant at all and makes the house smell clean, fresh and lovely," one wrote. "This product smells amazing ,subtle but also fragrant enough that a little goes a long way," another added. "I always add a couple of capfuls to my weekly wash and makes the laundry smell really fresh. "I also add some to my reed diffusers when they are running out of fragrance and they make the whole house smell clean and fresh." "Lovely long lasting smell, smells divine," a third commented. "Good value when compared with leading brands," someone else wrote. "Very long-lasting fresh and floral fragrance." The disinfectant also comes as a spray, in the same scent, with one person writing in their review on Ocado: "Always keep this spray handy for holidays and trips and completely blitz wherever were staying. "Toilet flush, tv remote, door handles, light switches etc. "It smells really nice and seems to last a long time too!"
Belfast Telegraph
28-05-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Taoiseach ‘very worried' about email from clinical director at Cappagh
Micheal Martin said there needs to be an 'exhaustive' review of unnecessary hip surgeries at two Dublin hospitals. He was responding to People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Paul Murphy during Leaders' Questions in the Dail on Wednesday. It comes after a clinical audit of surgeries for dysplasia of the hips in children found that a lower threshold for operations was used at CHI Temple Street hospital and the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh (NOHC) than the threshold used at CHI Crumlin. The review discovered that in the period 2021 to 2023 almost 80% of children operated on at the NOHC, and 60% of those at Temple Street, did not meet the threshold for surgery. The 2,259 children who underwent hip surgeries in the three hospitals (NOHC, CHI Temple Street and CHI Crumlin) from as far back as 2010 will now be subject to clinical reviews. Mr Murphy told Mr Martin about an email from a clinical director at Cappagh which ordered an end to multidisciplinary teams considering the cases of patients listed for pelvic osteotomies, instead deferring to the decision of the individual consultant involved. He said the senior management team at the hospital was also CCd on the email in November 2023. He quoted: 'Recently, it has become apparent that many children listed for pelvic osteotomies are being cancelled or are having their surgery deferred at short notice thereby causing inefficiencies on surgical lists. 'Following a meeting today, I have decided that patients listed for pelvic osteotomies will no longer be discussed at the MDT 'It will be up to the patient's individual consultant to review the X-ray and decide if they wish to proceed.' Mr Murphy said surgeries were being cancelled because other surgeons on the MDT thought they were unnecessary, adding: 'Instead of saying there was something wrong here, the clinical director said 'we'll stop discussing them at the MDT and it'll be fully in the hands of the original surgeon to decide'.' Mr Murphy also told the Dail about the experiences of a a mother of two daughters, Amelia and Hannah, and a surgeon at Temple Street. He said the mother felt 'unduly and inappropriately' pressured by the surgeon ahead of two osteotomies on Amelia's hips. Later, her younger sister Hannah was spotted by the same surgeon while she was in the hospital for an eye issue. Mr Murphy said the surgeon insisted that she also needed two osteotomies despite the family being told by a doctor at the Coombe that this was not necessary. The surgeries on Hannah did not proceed. He said this was a 'chilling example' of the experiences of parents. He questioned whether there was financial motivation as if the operations had been carried out under private health insurance, the surgeon would have made 1,500 euro for the first hip and 750 euro for the second. He said this may have a 'significant distorting effect and was an 'example of the poisonous role of private profit in what should be a public health system'. In response, the Taoiseach said he did not know the reasons behind the decisions which were taken and cautioned that 'private does not mean unethical'. On the email read out by Mr Murphy, Mr Martin said he was not aware of who the clinical director was but described it as a 'serious issue'. 'That seems to be a shutting down of the multidisciplinary team and the multi-disciplinary approach is a safeguard against wrongdoing or poor practice or ill-informed decisions – because the collective can inform. 'And I've met many, many consultants who will say it's the collective approach as to whether we do surgery or not. 'Medicine is not an exact science, that's why the collective is important. He added: 'So I would be very, very worried about the suspension of the MDT team in respect of assessing the necessity for operations in this area.' Mr Murphy also asked the Taoiseach if he believed the surgeons who performed unnecessary operations should be suspended or at least prevented from carrying out osteotomies until an audit into the matter is verified. Mr Martin said Amelia and Hannah's mother should formally refer the matter to the Medical Council or the authorities in CHI. He said there was an onus on the Medical Council to be proactive on the issue as the professional regulator. He said the CHI also needs to satisfy itself that there is no danger to future patients and that the working environment is safe. Asked if there should not be an onus on parents to request a review, Mr Martin agreed and said there should be an exhaustive examination of cases.
