Auckland Zoo closes for the day as staff grieve the loss of 40-year-old Kashin the Elephant, who died yesterday.

Photos: The life of Kashin, Auckland Zoo's most famous resident

International storm erupts over Herald columnist Brian Rudman's call to "throw another pit bull on the barbie".

A 2-year-old girl became ill five minutes after drinking seawater at Narrow Neck Beach.

Authorities have taken samples from the dog to find out if it is a victim of the toxin found in puffer fish that killed at least one dog on Narrow Neck Beach.

The public are being told to keep children and dogs away from beaches in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf while the source of a mystery toxic poison is investigated.

Barbecuing a family pet is not so very different to roasting a lamb or chook raised at home.

Tetrodotoxin found in the dead dogs' vomit and in a sea slug sample taken from Narrow Neck Beach.

An expert on sea slugs doubts they are to blame for killing dogs, saying the slugs themselves are probably victims.

Paul Henry's suggestion that Moko the Mahia dolphin be shot has not surprised local residents who say he's an idiot who speaks without thinking.