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Third dog dies in mysterious circumstances in Fife neighbourhood

Newfoundland, Yogi, died in similar circumstances to other dogs in Kinghorn.
Newfoundland, Yogi, died in similar circumstances to other dogs in Kinghorn.

A third dog has died in mysterious circumstances in a Fife neighbourhood.

Rennie Weir, from Kinghorn, says his Newfoundland Yogi died on Monday after battling “horrendous” symptoms for more than a week.

Rennie, who lives on Townhead, grew concerned when the nine-year-old dog began to display similar sickness to at least six others from neighbouring Burnside Avenue.

Two of those dogs later died while four others were critically ill – the cause of which remains unknown.

‘Heartbreaking’ loss of dog

Rennie said: “Yogi very quickly developed identical symptoms, including uncontrollable shaking, vomiting, a yellowing of the eyes and a high temperature, that other dogs had experienced close by.

“Immediately I was concerned so I took Yogi to the vets where he was given antibiotics.

“At first his health seemed to perk up but he then quickly faded. It was horrendous to watch.

“Despite being given three courses of antibiotics, nothing worked, and his health continued to deteriorate.

Yogi was “part of the family”.

“It was heartbreaking to watch him pass away as, like any dog, he was a part of the family.

“He was a big dog, 13 stone in all, so had a big presence in our lives.

“It is devastating to not have him here as he’s been with us for nine years.”

Initial investigations undertaken by Fife Council and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) proved inconclusive, though Sepa officers later issued a warning after harmful blue-green algae was found at nearby Kinghorn Loch.

Investigators ‘find nothing’ linking pets’ deaths

However, Rennie is certain that did not cause Yogi’s death as he never walked the dog at the loch.

He has now joined other affected pet owners in trying to seek answers.

Mark Woodward, whose Labrador Rosie was the first to die, says he is no closer to finding out what killed his pet.

He said: “We’ve had regulatory bodies including Scottish Water, Fife Council’s public protection officers and, representatives from Sepa out to investigate but have found nothing.

Burnside Avenue residents, from left: Zak Morton, Mark Woodward, Derek Brown and Tom Sheppard, whose dogs have all been affected.

“I accept that I may never discover the true cause of what killed Rosie, but it has to be properly an comprehensively investigated.

“There is understandably huge concern locally among residents.”

An email, seen by The Courier, from Fife Council’s protective services environmental health team told residents the local authority has no powers to investigate the reasons for the dogs falling ill – and urges them to contact their local politicians.

Councillor vows to seek answers

After meeting residents, Julie MacDougall – a councillor for the area – has vowed to look at who might be responsible for getting to the bottom of the issue.

She said: “This is an awful situation and we have to do all we can to find the cause as well as a possible solution.

“I am in contact with a number of dog owners see what can be done immediately to stop any further deaths.

“We need this investigating properly and without delay.”

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