PET owners have been issued a warning after a second dog has died following a walk at a popular beauty spot in Andover.

James Brady and Patricia Gora, from Tidworth, decided to take their two dogs, Jack Russell Miniature Maple and Misty, a Bichon Frise, to Anton Lakes on Sunday, August 13. 

Maple had been splashing about in the water when she suddenly became very ill and her body started “convulsing”. 

James recalled “looking into her eyes and seeing the fear”, adding: “I could almost see the life go from her eyes. It was horrendous.”

The couple took the dog to Pets at Home, in Enham Arch Retail Park, but despite the best efforts of a vet, Maple was pronounced dead - 28 minutes after she entered the water. 

The vet told James and Patricia that Maple most likely ingested a toxin while in the water. 

Maple is the second dog this year to lose her life after spending time at the beauty spot - Jordan Shearman and Hannah Washington from Augusta Park lost their one-year-old Cocker Spaniel Roo in similar circumstances in April, prompting a Test Valley Borough Council investigation into the presence of blue-green algae in the water.

While the exact cause of Maple’s death is not known, the council has already collected water samples to test for blue-green algae and is awaiting the results. 

To prevent another fatal incident, the authority has also installed temporary notices advising people not to swim in the lake or allow their dogs to drink or play in the water on a “precautionary basis”.

You can read the full story and reaction in this week's paper. Also in this week's edition:

  • Andover MP Kit Malthouse has acknowledged that the July inflation figure “is alarming”.
  • Millions of pounds has been invested into Andover College and its sister campus Sparsholt, near Winchester. 
  • A photographer from Andover has called for answers after he and his neighbours did not receive any mail for two weeks.
  • A garage in Abbotts Ann will be demolished and turned into five bungalows after councillors overwhelmingly voted to approve housing plans
  • A young father from Andover who continuously harassed his ex-girlfriend and her family has been jailed for 16 months.
  • A resident in Andover has been left “absolutely fuming” after a tap was left to leak, wasting water.
  • A former college lecturer from Andover who specialises in river species has spoken out against ‘selfish’ residents who are continuing to use their hosepipes despite the current ban.
  • A disabled man from Andover said he feels completely neglected and is living in a “nightmare home” after falling through his hallway floor.
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