WARNING signs have been put up at two Newquay beaches after four dogs reportedly died from poisoning.
Cornwall Council has installed the signage as a precaution at Fistral and Little Fistral following the incidents, which the authority believes were caused by Hemlock roots being washed up.
The root, which can be poisonous to animals, has been discovered at various locations including Towan Beach, Porth and the Gannel as well as at Fistral.
Other dogs have also become poorly whilst visiting beaches in the area in recent weeks.
Some people believe the council has been quick to blame the cause on Hemlock being washed up.
They are urging the council to undertake an investigation as they believe the dogs were poisoned a different way such as the quality of the seawater due to the numerous sewage leaks.
Duke, a three-year-old English Bull Terrier, was among the dogs that have died in recent weeks after being taken for a walk at South Fistral.
Owner Djamila Bousksou, who owns Rolling Joe’s Coffee, said: “Duke’s last walk was along the back path of South Fistral; down the sandy lane that leads to the beach and along the bank.
“He soon developed sudden severe vomiting, a collapsed oesophagus, bloody diarrhoea and was admitted to the ICU at 3am.
“Duke was supported for six long days and nights.
“His hospitalisation was a wild ride of sudden, drastic improvement bringing us so much hope and joy and cheery phone calls from the ICU followed by unanticipated deterioration, where he came crashing back down again.
“We decided we didn’t want Duke to suffer such a rollercoaster any longer and as a final last resort the vets opened up his stomach in the tiny hope they could find some answer or way to save him.
“But they found nothing but toxicity, toxic foul-smelling fluid and inflamed and collapsed intestines; and kindly delivered him from his suffering by not waking him up again.
“We were completely blessed to be given 30 minutes alone with Duke before he went into surgery; knowing we would most likely never see him again.
“But we got to tell him how much we loved him; how grateful we were to have met him and how he’d changed the course of our lives for the better.
“We got the dreaded call just 20 minutes later.
“The grief and pain of losing Duke is unbearable and immeasurable.
“He was such a strong, happy and loyal well-behaved boy.
“An ambassador for the breed.
“Our only consolation is he is now free from his pain and suffering, and that his short three years of life were, although far too short, absolutely packed with love, adoration, endless memories and unrelenting adventures together.
“We will miss him eternally.
“We also put out a huge thank you to every single person of the Newquay community who stuck by us unwaveringly during this awful time; who phoned, messaged, left hot dinners on the doorstep and dropped cards and flowers.
“We will never forget the public outpour of love for Duke and for us and are grateful beyond measure.”
A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: “We have received reports that Hemlock roots, which can be poisonous to animals, have washed up in the Fistral and Little Fistral area.
“Hemlock is native to Cornwall. They look and smell like parsnips.
“During the winter it can be washed downstream from riverbanks and ends up on our beaches.
“As a precaution, we are putting up signs urging dog owners to be vigilant and keep their pets on a lead.”
Kay Jones said: “I feel like this is just an easy excuse for the council to avoid being held accountable for these dogs deaths to just say hemlock rather than admit the state of the water is the actual problem.
Millie Nathan added: “It is just typical of the council not doing enough.
“I don’t think they know it’s hemlock being washed up for definite and other dogs are getting ill from other beaches.
“It requires a proper investigation and also advice to the public when it is safe to return.”
Djamila said: “I personally don’t believe hemlock was the cause of Duke’s poisoning, and the vet wasn’t convinced either.
“Duke’s condition in the ICU was unpredictable, without respiratory or neurological symptoms.
“Plus, none of the other affected dogs’ owners saw any hemlock on their walks, let alone witnessed it being touched or ingested.
“That said, I’m super aware of the hemlock surge across the UK after the stormy weather, although it tends to emerge more around estuaries, I believe.”
Cornwall Council has been approached for comment.