Warning after dog eats palm oil on Northumberland beach

A woman has urged dog owners to be vigilant after her pet ate palm oil that had washed ashore in Storm Babet.

Angie Garrard, 64, said her rescue dog Ruby had her stomach emptied after she ate the substance, which is toxic to dogs, at Embleton beach on Saturday.

Palm oil can be released legally by vessels at sea if they are at least 12 nautical miles from the shore.

Northumberland County Council said a clean-up operation had been carried out at Newton and Embleton beaches.

They were closed on Saturday night and Sunday but have since reopened. However, the authority advised pet owners to "remain vigilant".

It was alerted about a substance that had washed ashore after Storm Babet on Saturday evening.

Mrs Garrard, who is from Christon Bank, said: "Ruby ran off and was chewing chunks of what looked like white wax.

"She wouldn't let me take it out of her mouth because apparently dogs love it."

After palm oil is released by vessels, it can collect harmful bacteria and debris from the sea before washing up on beaches.

The substance is toxic to dogs and if eaten can cause a fatal reaction.

Mrs Garrard said she saw chunks of it "all over the beach", which "smelled like diesel".

"It was disgusting," she said.

Mrs Garrard took Ruby to an emergency vet, who gave the dog an injection to clear its stomach.

"Thankfully Ruby has recovered, but it was a stressful seeing her unwell," Mrs Garrard added.

Mrs Garrard said she had walked on Football Hole beach on Monday morning, which is about two miles (3km) from Embleton, and found more chunks of palm oil.

Councillor Gordon Stewart said: "We had staff out on Sunday in response to the initial reports and again this morning to revisit those beaches in case any more had washed up.

"We have also responded to reports of some deposits at the southern end of Beadnell Bay and Football Hole Beach.

"While council teams have now removed the oil, dog owners should remain vigilant as there may be more washed up in the coming days."

The National Trust, which manages some of the coastline, has also been approached for comment.

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