Two dogs died on the weekend of September 11 and 12 in Brittany. What do they have in common? They had both walked the long Saint-Efflam beach, in Plestin-les-Grèves, in the Côtes d’Armor. A huge sandy beach located at the bottom of the shore where green algae strandings are regular. Did the ulvae present on the sand cause the death of the two animals? The question arises, while the dangerousness of hydrogen sulfide is proven. In the region, several animals such as horses and wild boars have died amid the green algae, which has washed up in abundance this summer. Men too, although the connection could not be clearly established.
The facts reported by the owner of a 5-year-old border collie named Moggly raise doubts. Sunday September 12, this inhabitant of Lanmeur goes to the coast to run his dog. On returning from the walk, her animal suffers from diarrhea. A few minutes later, he was unable to get out of the car, as reported by France 3 Bretagne. He died two days later despite the intervention of a veterinarian.
More dangerous in case of pronounced effort
Suspecting the algae, its owner requested an autopsy to find out if the hydrogen sulfide could be the cause of death. This poisonous gas is generated by the putrefaction of algae when it is not picked up. The survey carried out recently by Special Envoy also confirmed that H2S levels higher than normal had been observed around certain Breton beaches. An increased danger when the individual or the animal makes an effort, which was the case with this dog known to be lively and fast.
According to Yves-Marie Le Lay, tireless activist and author of the book Green tides also kill, a second dog is said to have died after walking the same beach on the same day. A third reportedly exhibited similar symptoms but survived. His association Safeguarding the Trégor Goëlo Penthièvre has agreed to finance part of the medical expertise and has contacted the municipality. While the strandings were very important this summer, especially in the Côtes d’Armor, the conclusions of these autopsies will be closely scrutinized. In the past, several suspected cases of death from H2S poisoning could not be treated due to lack of prompt medical examinations.