Jun 20, 2007 12:21 am US/Central
Toxic Algae Found In Lakes Linked To Dog's Death
by Jason DeRusha
Montrose, Minn. (WCCO) ―
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The MPCA said harmful effects of the blue-green algae blooms are not usually reported because the unpleasant appearance and odor keeps people out of the water.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
A dog's death in Montrose, Minn. has officials at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency pointing to potentially toxic blue-green algae.
Jim Cebulla's 16-month-old yellow Labrador died two days after drinking water from a lake with algae in it.
"He just took two mouthfuls (of algae). I see him go gulp, gulp, and I didn't think anything of it," said Cebulla.
Cooper, the yellow lab, died after the toxic algae attacked his kidneys and liver. The lab went swimming in Fountain Lake, a lake Cebulla said was coated with blue-green algae.
"We had a think green scum, it was at least an inch think in places, the ducks could walk on it," he said.
According to the MPCA, the recent hot and dry weather is causing the formation of this type of algae in some Minnesota lakes. The algae blooms can look like pea soup, spilled green paint or floating mats of scum. The algae can also smell very bad.
"Normally this becomes a concern later in the season. But the fact we're seeing toxic blue-green algae in early summer in not that unusual, and show how unpredictable is can be," said MPCA lakes expert Steve Heiskary in a statement.
The MPCA said harmful effects of the blue-green algae blooms are not usually reported because the unpleasant appearance and odor keeps people out of the water. However, dogs and livestock sometimes venture in, ingesting the water which can be toxic.
"As long as somebody learns from this, maybe we can save another dog or two, then it's worth it," said Cebulla.
For more information on the toxic algae blooms you can visit the MPCA Web site by clicking
here.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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