After further investigation, the Benton-Franklin Health District tells KAPP-KVEW one dog has died, and two others that became ill have recovered.
Update: After further investigation the Benton-Franklin Health District tells me one dog has died, and two others have recovered. They’re still awaiting the results from the water samples they took yesterday. @KAPPKVEWhttps://t.co/23emHYXXN4
One of the signs posted at Scooteney Reservoir in 2019 by the Benton-Franklin Health District.
Craig Kohlruss
A Mariposa County deputy sheriff stands watch over a remote area northeast of the town of Mariposa, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, near the area where a family and their dog were reportedly found dead the day before. Investigators are considering whether toxic algae blooms or other hazards may have contributed to the deaths of the Northern California couple, their baby and the family dog on a remote hiking trail, authorities said.
Craig Kohlruss
A Mariposa County deputy sheriff stands watch over a remote area northeast of the town of Mariposa, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, near the area where a family and their dog were reportedly found dead the day before. Investigators are considering whether toxic algae blooms or other hazards may have contributed to the deaths of the Northern California couple, their baby and the family dog on a remote hiking trail, authorities said.
A helicopter hovers over a remote area northeast of the town of Mariposa, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. According to the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office, the area is reported to be where a family and their dog were found dead on Tuesday. Investigators are considering whether toxic algae blooms or other hazards may have contributed to the deaths of the Northern California couple, their baby and the family dog on a remote hiking trail, authorities said.
Craig Kohlruss
A helicopter hovers over a remote area northeast of the town of Mariposa, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. According to the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office, the area is reported to be where a family and their dog were found dead on Tuesday. Investigators are considering whether toxic algae blooms or other hazards may have contributed to the deaths of the Northern California couple, their baby and the family dog on a remote hiking trail, authorities said.
Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese gives an update on the investigation into the deaths of three family members and their dog in the Hite Cove area of the Sierra National Forest in Mariposa County, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. Investigators are considering whether toxic algae blooms or other hazards may have contributed to the deaths of a Northern California couple, their baby and the family dog on a remote hiking trail, authorities said.
Craig Kohlruss
Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese gives an update on the investigation into the deaths of three family members and their dog in the Hite Cove area of the Sierra National Forest in Mariposa County, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. Investigators are considering whether toxic algae blooms or other hazards may have contributed to the deaths of a Northern California couple, their baby and the family dog on a remote hiking trail, authorities said.
A remote canyon area northeast of the town of Mariposa, seen on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, is reported to be the area where a family and their dog were found dead on Tuesday, the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office said. Investigators are considering whether toxic algae blooms or other hazards may have contributed to the deaths of the Northern California couple, their baby and the family dog on a remote hiking trail, authorities said.
Craig Kohlruss
A remote canyon area northeast of the town of Mariposa, seen on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, is reported to be the area where a family and their dog were found dead on Tuesday, the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office said. Investigators are considering whether toxic algae blooms or other hazards may have contributed to the deaths of the Northern California couple, their baby and the family dog on a remote hiking trail, authorities said.
KENNEWICK, Wash — The deaths of three dogs over the weekend have prompted the Benton-Franklin Health District to investigate possible toxic algae blooms near popular parks along the Columbia River, the district said Monday.
The dogs died after swimming near Leslie Groves and Howard Amon parks, as well as upstream. Both parks are in Richland; park areas in Richland and Ringold are being investigated.
“Dogs and other animals are often exposed by drinking contaminated water, swallowing water while swimming, or licking cyanobacteria from their fur. If you suspect your pets or livestock have been exposed to a toxic algae bloom, immediately wash them off with clean water to keep them from licking the bacteria off their fur.”
Harmful blooms have been found in some Washington lakes and rivers. The district shared possible signs that your pet might have been exposed:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Loss of coordination
Tremors
Seizures
Blue-green algae can attack so quickly that you must get to a veterinarian quickly if you know your dog has been in the algae.
“While cyanobacteria blooms in rivers are rare, the hot, dry weather and low water flows can lead to algae blooms. The extreme heat this summer and lower than normal water levels can create an ideal environment for organisms to easily grow and multiply. Algae blooms can vary in appearance, but commonly look like pea soup or are blue-green or turquoise in color. Freshwater algae blooms caused by cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are most common in lakes, but can occur in rivers and streams with warm, slow moving and stagnant waters. The toxicity of each bloom can vary and is difficult to predict. Toxicity can change from one day to the next. It isn’t possible to determine how dangerous a bloom is to people and animals by looking at it. Only testing can tell if it is dangerous.”
