First dog death at Coromandel beach

The emails revealed fears that DoC could be seen as insensitive after a series of dog deaths on North Shore beaches. Photo / Greg Bowker

A dog which died after visiting a Coromandel beach has tested positive to the same toxin believed to be responsible for the deaths of five dogs in Auckland.

In the past few months, 10 dogs have fallen ill after ingesting Tetrodotoxin (TTX) in Auckland, which has been found in sea slugs on beaches there.

The dog in the Coromandel had visited Tapu beach, on the west coast of the peninsula 18km north of Thames.

Officials were urging people to take caution when visiting beaches on the west side of the peninsula.

They also said:

* Children and pets must be closely supervised at all times.

* Children and pets should not eat things found on the beach.

* Parents needed to be aware of where their children were and what they were handling.

* People should not touch any sea life (dead or alive) found on the beach.

* Sea slugs on any beach must be avoided.

People were still being urged to take care in Auckland, particularly at the North Shore beaches of Narrow Neck and Cheltenham.

TTX is a potent poison found in tropical puffer fish.

Early symptoms of TTX poisoning in humans include nausea and numbness and tingling around the mouth.

This could spread to the face, tongue and other areas, leading to paralysis and slurred speech.

Medical attention should be sought for any person or animal who becomes ill after visiting a beach.

- NZPA