The Northern Ireland Environment Agency has confirmed that blue-green algae has been found in Lough Neagh after reports of several dogs dying in the past two years after being walked along the lough shore.
A devastated family told Belfast Live they had lost their nine-month-old pup after it lapped up some of the water earlier this month.
Now a post on Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council's Facebook page has confirmed the presence of poisonous toxins in the water.
Read more: Family 'devastated' after another dog dies within an hour of their Antrim loughshore walk
"Further samples were collected along the shore at Rea’s wood on 23 May 2023 and analysis has confirmed the presence of an algae called Microcystis sp. in small amounts washed up on the shore," it said.
"Microcystis sp., is a blue green algae which can produce toxins that are highly poisonous and often fatal to pets.
"In addition, a large amount of the toxic but fairly common plant Hemlock Water Dropwort (Oenanthe crocata) was observed growing in the wooded area along Rea’s Wood.
"Hemlock water dropwort (poison parsnip) is perhaps the most poisonous indigenous plant in Britain and Ireland.
"This is a native plant, not an invasive species, and it grows mostly in wet meadows along river courses and adjacent to lakes.
"It is highly toxic to humans and domesticated animals if ingested - although the roots are more toxic than the above-ground parts."
The Council has warned dog-owners to be "aware of the dangers posed by all poisonous plants and algae growing in the environment, but especially along riverbanks and in wet grassland or edges of lakes".
It has also now put up signage around the area warning the public about the algae.
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