Algae killed three dogs

Three dogs died hours after playing at a pond in North Carolina with blue-green algae

Melissa Martin and Denise Mintz took their beloved dogs -Abby, Izzy and Harpo- to a pond in Wilmington on Thursday night to cool off. But within 15 minutes of leaving the pond, Abby, a West Highland white terrier, began to have a seizure.

Melissa Martin posted on her Facebook page:

"At 12:08 AM, our dogs crossed the rainbow bridge together. They contracted blue green algae poisoning and there was nothing they could do. We are gutted. I wish I could do today over. I would give anything to have one more day with them. Harpo and I had work to do, but now we will carry on in his memory and we will make sure every standing body of water has a warning sign.

I was working on our book and planned for us to meet Robin Roberts and Ellen Degeneres and hear how awesome he is. He won’t get the chance to be a part of that, but I will make sure this book is finished.

Abby and Izzy had the most fun tonight chasing the ball and each other and rolling in the mud. What started out as a fun night for them has ended in the biggest loss of our lives. We need your prayers. Not sure we’re strong enough to get through this without them.
We are now on a mission to put signs at every body of water that can have this deadly bacteria. If you’d like to be part of our initiative: 

https://www.facebook.com/1371655799/posts/10219956373964324?s=1371655799&sfns=mo "

Martin told CNN, on their way home, Abby, a white West Highland terrier, fell first and began to seize. They rushed to a veterinary hospital, where Izzy, also a Westie, began seizing as well. Then six-year-old Harpo, a doodle mix that worked as a therapy dog for hospital patients, fell ill.

By midnight, Martin told CNN, all three dogs were dead.

The veterinarian said the dogs all died of poisoning with green algae, which thrived in the pond water where the dogs were swimming.

Melissa Martin wrote on her Facebook page, a heartbreaking article mourning the loss of dogs.

After the death of  their beloved dogs, Martin began to raise the level of awareness about the deadly algae, warning pet owners of others, she now hopes to help prevent more dog deaths by educating pet owners about the deadly algae blooms and advocating for warning signs near ponds, lakes and canals where the toxins have taken over. there are usually algae bloom toxic in the bodies of fresh stagnant water, during periods of warm weather, according to the control center of animal toxins, produce algae toxins can lead to liver damage and failure, which is known to be particularly deadly for pets drinking water, Martin has since launched the GoFundMe campaign to raise awareness.

“I will not stop until I make positive change,” she told CNN. “I will not lose my dogs for nothing.”