Queen's estate puts dogs at risk of 'killer disease'

Sandringham house in Norfolk, United Kingdom. Photo / Getty Images

Dog lovers have accused the Queen's Sandringham estate of putting their pets' lives at risk by failing to warn them about a killer disease in its woodland.

At least 15 dogs have developed Seasonal Canine Illness in the past month after being walked through woods at the Norfolk estate.

The owners of three pets left fighting for their lives have complained over a lack of signs warning owners about the illness. One who rang to voice her concerns said she was told the estate couldn't put signs up "on every other tree".

Dog walkers say there is only one sign at the visitor centre, although a Buckingham Palace spokesman said there were more.

Checks by the Daily Mail revealed three signs - including one at the start of a track not used by visitors because it is blocked by a gate and has a sign stating "authorised access only", and another pinned to the side of a tree.

The causes of SCI are unclear but the potentially fatal disease is contracted by dogs walking in woods in the autumn and causes vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy. Many have had harvest mites on them.

School administrator Jo Raby, 35, said her five-month-old labrador Chester fell ill the day after his first walk at the site on October 8. He was in "immense pain" and spent two days on a drip at a vet's, costing her more than £400 (NZD$907).

When the mother of two, from Snettisham, contacted the estate's visitor centre a member of staff told her there was only one sign warning dog owners.

She said:"They said they had hundreds of acres of woodland with five car parks and they couldn't put signs up everywhere.

"The member of staff then told me, 'Do you expect us to put up a poster on every other tree?' I said I just wanted more signs put up on car parks and trails where dog walkers could see them."

Terry Wenn, 65, had two dogs fall seriously ill after a visit on September 27. Scruffy, a six-year-old terrier, and Charlie, an 11-year-old dachshund, spent several days on a drip at a cost of £700 (NZD $1588).

The foster carer, who lives with wife Linda, 60, in Walpole Highway, said: "We didn't see any signs at all on the estate. If they had more signs up it would make people think twice about walking their dogs there at this time of year."

Buckingham Palace said the estate took any reports of Seasonal Canine Illness seriously.

A spokesman added: "There is notification via posters and flyers at the visitor centre and country park, including the main dog walking areas, the car parks and the camping and caravan sites. There is also a notice on the estate website and the campsite gives advice when taking bookings."

Vets confirm suspected cases of Seasonal Canine Illness

Vets in the Sandringham area confirmed that they had treated another dozen dogs with suspected SCI after being walked on the estate in recent weeks.

Cases were first identified at Sandringham and other wooded areas in 2009. The Animal Health Trust was asked by the Queen, its patron, to conduct a study the following year. This found 35 dogs fell ill at Sandringham in autumn 2010 and six of them died. A further 51 cases, including two deaths, were linked to the estate the following year.

Buckingham Palace said there had been a drop-off in reported cases of SCI over the past two years.

- Daily Mail