Dog owners warned to avoid stream after illness
Malc McDonald/GeographA stream is being investigated amid concern it could be linked to illness in dogs.
The Environment Agency (EA) said its officers had been at Cut Throat Dene, in Seaburn, Sunderland, this week to look into pollution reports.
A local vets warned pet owners to avoid the site and said a recent "noticeable increase" in dogs suffering vomiting and diarrhoea was possibly linked to visits to the area.
Sunderland City Council said it was monitoring developments and supporting the EA.
Earlier this week Roker Park Vets said it had seen "a noticeable increase" in dogs coming to the practice with vomiting and diarrhoea lately, and "there's growing concern that it might be linked to visits to the Cut Throat Dene area in Seaburn".
"To be on the safe side, we're advising owners to avoid walking their dogs in that area for now until we know more," it said in a social media post.
Sunderland City Council said it was also concerned about the water quality at the stream and had passed information to the EA.
"We understand the agency is actively looking into the matter and making further inquiries," a spokesperson added.
Local Liberal Democrat councillor for Fulwell and Seaburn Malcolm Bond criticised the EA for not acting sooner.
"For ages we have been urging the Environment Agency to take action on farm slurry sprayed on nearby fields making its way into the stream, which leads directly onto Seaburn beach," Bond said.
A spokesperson for the EA said the agency took instances of pollution "very seriously" and would take enforcement action if necessary.