Are dogs on the beach the new “Canaries in the cage”? – Owl

One holidaymaker is demanding answers after her dog became ill after paddling in the sea around Maer Rocks in Exmouth. 

Spokesperson for the Environment Agency: “We had no pollution incidents recorded for Mear Rocks on June 11, nor for the two days before.”

Adam Manning www.exmouthjournal.co.uk

Diane Crestwell, her husband and dog Benji came to Exmouth on holiday on June 11.

They were enjoying the sunshine, and Benji decided to go for a dip in the sea.

He was in the water for about 20 minutes but became ill after getting out.

The dog had serious diarrhoea, and Diane had to stay outside with Benji as she didn’t want to bring Benji into their hotel.

Diane said: “The hotel staff were absolutely lovely, they could not do enough to help us and were sympathetic to Benji.” 

Diane consulted an Exmouth vet but decided to get Benji back home to see their local vet, about 300 miles away in West Yorkshire.  

She said: “We decided to just get Benji home at this point, it wasn’t nice travelling all that way with a dog with diarrhoea, as you can imagine.” 

After a few weeks, Benji has now recovered after being given various creams, steroids and a paste to go into his food.

Diane said: “Since then, I have been trying to get some answers to why Benji was so ill after being in the sea for such a short time.

“I contacted Exmouth Town Council, who told me to call East Devon District Council, who then told me to the Environment Agency, and I’ve still had no answers. 

“I contacted South West Water but haven’t heard back from them. I’m just so angry, his illness must have been from going into the sea at Maer Rocks.

“We took him to the vets before the holiday and he was healthy. It was as soon as he got into the water that he became ill so it must have been something there that disagreed with him. 

“I just want to make dog walkers aware that this happened to us and see if dog walkers or swimmers have had similar experiences. 

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “We’re sorry to hear about the dog being ill.

“However, we had no pollution incidents recorded for Mear Rocks on June 11, nor for the two days before.

“Cases of suspected pollution can be reported to us at any time by ringing 0800 80 70 60.”