Health warning after dog dies from suspected algae poisoning at iconic UK lake
Urgent health warning after dog dies from suspected algae poisoning at iconic UK lake
One ordinary walk by an iconic lake has ended in heartbreak, with warnings now issued to prevent another tragedy.
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Add us as preferred source Comments By Chris Riches 14:52, Wed, Jul 1, 2026 Updated: 14:52, Wed, Jul 1, 2026 
Dog owners have been urged to beware blue-green algae in the Lake District after a pet reportedly died from suspected poisoning. Coniston Mountain Rescue Team has issued a public warning after a dog called Ozzy died from suspected blue‑green algae poisoning following contact with Coniston Water.
The beauty spot in Cumbria is where Donald Campbell crashed Bluebird during his ill-fated water speed record attempt in 1967 and died. It is claimed Ozzy had been at Coniston Water last Saturday and later began vomiting and showing signs of lethargy. He died despite being taken to a vet, his owners have claimed.
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Coniston Mountain Rescue Team (CMRT) said blue-green algae blooms "can be present in lakes, streams and tarns, as well as reservoirs and ponds", with some producing "highly dangerous" toxins that also make humans ill.
The Environment Agency (EA) said it had "received no reports of blue-green algae at Coniston in the past days" but encouraged people to log suspected sightings.
Blooms occur naturally but are more frequent during warm, dry weather and are exacerbated by nutrients from phosphate in pollutants such as sewage.
CMRT said the microscopic organisms can look like blue-green paint, scum or greenish-brown discolouration.
It is advising anyone planning to swim, boat or walk their dog near water to check for warning signs nearby.
Anyone whose dog has been swimming or drinking from an algae-affected area and begins suffering from vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures or breathing difficulties should consult a vet immediately, it added.
The Lake District National Park Authority echoed that guidance, warning it was "impossible to tell if algae is the dangerous kind just by looking at it, so it's best to not enter the water if you suspect there is [a bloom]".
Coniston Mountain Rescue Team (CMRT) posted on Facebook: "Following the incredibly sad loss of a dog named Ozzy who died from algae poisoning, after being in Coniston Water where Blue/Green algae is currently present, we wanted to raise awareness of the dangers this bloom can cause.
"Our thoughts are with Ozzy’s owners, we are so sorry for your loss.
"During the Summer months pet owners need to be aware of the possibility of the highly dangerous Blue/Green Algae in inland water sources.
"These algae can be present in lakes, streams and tarns, as well as reservoirs and ponds. It can produce toxins that are highly dangerous to humans and pets.
"It can be fatal in dogs. Blooms—which can look like blue-green paint, scums, or greenish-brown discolouration—thrive in long, hot spells of weather.
"If your dog has been swimming or drinking from such water courses and suddenly suffers from vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures, breathing difficulty or collapse, please consult a vet immediately.
"However, depending on the toxin, symptoms might not show themselves straight away, so if you think your dog may have ingested water containing the algae, the sooner you contact a vet the better."
* Meanwhile elsewhere in Cumbria, parents have raised concerns about pollution after several people had to go to hospital over the weekend after swimming in the River Derwent, at Camerton.
One man said his adult son had to go to A&E with sickness and diarrhoea after he swam in the river, while Lesley Rourke, 38, from Workington, said her 14-year-old son also fell ill.
North Cumbria Integrated Care Trust said four patients had attended A&E with diarrhoea and vomiting after swimming in open water.
Water firm United Utilities said: "We're really sorry to hear that some people have been unwell.
"While we haven't received any direct reports from individuals, a range of factors can affect river water quality, including agricultural and highway run-off."
An Environment AGency spokesperson said: "Our specialist officers are investigating potential sources of pollution on the River Derwent around Camerton after receiving reports to our incident hotline.
"We will take enforcement action where appropriate to protect our environment and ensure offences are sanctioned appropriately."
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Diamondbacks Have Become Giants' Biggest Nightmare in 2026
Diamondbacks Have Become Giants' Biggest Nightmare in 2026
The San Francisco Giants have yet to solve the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2026, and the one-sided matchup is becoming a defining storyline of the season.Seth Dowdle|
In this story:
San Francisco GiantsArizona DiamondbacksThe San Francisco Giants lost 8-2 to the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 30 at Chase Field. A lot went wrong in the loss, including some horrific starting pitching from Landen Roupp as well as some pretty pedestrian offense other than Luis Arraez's hot bat.
Despite all that disappointment, something even more ominous happened Tuesday night — the Giants have now lost eight in a row to the Diamondbacks. That's right. Eight losses in a row. Absolutely nothing has gone right for San Francisco when the team in the other dugout is the Diamondbacks.
For Arizona, this feat is a historic accomplishment. It's the most consecutive victories against an opponent to start a season in franchise history. Additionally, these wins over San Francisco are fueling the D-backs' potential march to the postseason. Arizona is 13-2 against the Giants and Rockies. Against everybody else, it's just 30-40. Talk about stacking wins against subpar competition.
The feeling is not so good on the other side of the aisle. San Francisco has to wonder what it can do to get over the bogeyman that is the players who reside at Chase Field. How in the world can one expect to have a successful season when one singular opponent just continues to smack you around night in and night out? It's a reasonable question, one that the Giants are seeing answered in real time: You can't.
The Giants Are in the Doghouse Against the D-backs
Let's go through some of these losses to the D-backs this season. (For a more in-depth analysis into why the Giants just can't seem to figure out Arizona, click here.)
The Giants and Diamondbacks first met on May 18 in Phoenix, with Arizona taking the series opener in a 12-2 rout. The next night featured the Giants blowing a 3-1 ninth-inning lead, with Ketel Marte blasting a three-run walk-off homer to left field to send the folks in orange and black back to their hotel sad. The Diamondbacks concluded the sweep the next day via a 6-3 triumph.
Just a week later, the D-backs arrived in San Francisco for a three-game set. Once again, nothing went right. Merrill Kelly outdueled Roupp to open the festivities. Then Eduardo Rodriguez, who's having a fantastic season, did the same against Tyler Mahle the next day. Finally, Mike Soroka got the best of Tony Vitello's squad. 6-2, 7-5 and 3-2. Those are the final scores of yet another sweep.
The next two defeats have come in just the past couple of days. San Francisco, looking to conclude June on the right foot following two series wins over the Athletics and Atlanta Braves, completely fell flat in the opener on June 29. Rodriguez was once again fantastic, and the D-backs won 5-4. Then there was the June 30 loss, an 8-2 drubbing that was another indication that perhaps the Giants should just pack it up and not even bother against Arizona anymore.
Unfortunately for the Giants, five more games between the two will be played this season. They can only hope that somehow, someway, a win comes at some point.
Published 6 minutes ago
SETH DOWDLESeth Dowdle is a 2024 graduate of TCU, where he earned a degree in sports broadcasting with a minor in journalism. He currently hosts a TCU-focused show on the Bleav Network and has been active in sports media since 2019, beginning with high school sports coverage in the DFW area. Seth is also the owner and editor of SethStack, his personal hub for in-depth takes on everything from college football to hockey. His past experience includes working in the broadcast department for the Cleburne Railroaders and at 88.7 KTCU, TCU's radio station.
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