Anja and Gerrit are having a hard time with it. “We are extremely sad that our loved ones have both lost their lives in such a short time.” They receive a lot of support from fellow villagers and dog owners in the area.
The event also causes unrest: the cause of death is still unclear and many owners walk their dogs in the area. There is a swimming beach a little further away.
Possibly blue-green algae
According to former veterinarian Hans Terwee from Muiderberg, the symptoms can be caused by blue-green algae. “When dogs move through the water, it rises from the bottom and if they hang their mouth in the water, they can ingest it. Some dogs are more affected than others. That also depends on how much they ingest.”
He drew attention to the phenomenon in 2011. Then there was a dog death in Muiderberg and the beach there was closed.
The municipality of Gooise Meren said in a response that the environmental service carries out checks on the bathing water. Due to the suspicions of blue-green algae, the department has asked Rijkswaterstaat to conduct an investigation.
“The results of this additional research are expected to be known this week. Until then, there is no definitive confirmation of the presence of blue-green algae at Muiderberg beach.”
To be on the safe side, the municipality has placed a warning sign at the swimming beach.