Dog dies after swimming in River Don in Aberdeenshire as owner launches warning to pet owners

A pet owner has launched a warning to others after their dog died after swimming and drinking from a river in Aberdeenshire.

Authorities are probing whether toxic waste was dumped in the River Don in Kemnay, after one dog died and two others got sick following a swim in the waters.

The distraught owner alerted people to the incident with a message shared on local Facebook page Fubar News, after one of the pets drank the water, got sick, then passed away the next morning.

They said: “Please keep your dogs away from the river temporarily if possible.

“My dog had been in the Kemnay River, had drunk the water, had been sick the same night and unfortunately passed away the next morning.

“There have been lots of dogs getting unwell recently that had been either in the water or on walks, this had been reported to SEPA and waiting for an outcome.

“I cant say for sure it was definitely the water but there is a chance it could have been.”

A spokesperson for SEPA said: “SEPA have received reports of three dogs that have become unwell after entering the River Don at Kemnay, in an area popular with dog walkers.

“The notifiers advised that prior to the dogs entering the water, they did not witness any pollution impacts. SEPA Officers have attended the location and taken samples to assess water quality. Initial findings have not identified any evidence of pollution.

“At this stage, SEPA have no reason to link the recent reports of dogs becoming unwell after entering the River Don, and the appeal made by Scottish Water regarding potential unauthorised waste disposals that have impacted Waste Water Treatment Works serving Kemnay, Oldmeldrum and Daviot.

“We would urge anyone that is concerned about a potential pollution incident to contact SEPA immediately online at www.sepa.org.uk/report or via the Pollution Hotline 0800 80 70 60.”