THE owners of a puppy who died just hours after a walk at Anton Lakes have said that a borough council statement suggesting ‘no concerns’ with the water is sending ‘the wrong message’.

Jordan Shearman and Hannah Washington, from Augusta Park, took their one-year-old cocker spaniel Roo on a walk at the Andover beauty spot on April 30.

However, the afternoon of play ended in disaster, as Roo was rushed to the vets and died shortly afterwards, from suspected exposure to blue green algae or other poisonous substance.

Test Valley Borough Council quickly told owners to keep their dogs out of the water while tests were carried out, but now the authority has said there were ‘no concerning levels of blue green algae’ in the lake.

Council leader Cllr Phil North wrote on Facebook that tests showed “extremely low levels” of the algae. 

He added that the sample was: “Twenty times lower than the guidance level for issuing warnings of a potential risk. After sharing the results with the Environment Agency, we can confirm that they have no concerns.”

This has left Jordan and Hannah frustrated. Jordan said: “I don’t truly believe that the statement emits the best message. Blue green algae levels can vary greatly, and very quickly, and so although there are low levels now, a week earlier when Roo was playing in this water, there could have been toxic levels and the tests performed have discovered the remnants of what is left.”

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

  • Andover councillors have raised concerns about plans for thousands of houses in the town as part of the borough council’s local plan.
  • A woman from Weyhill has launched a fundraising appeal to help two Ukrainian women and their dog, who survived 41 days of shelling in Mariupol, safely travel to Test Valley.
  • An Andover Town councillor said she “had the interests of residents at heart” when she nominated Cllr David Coole to become the new mayor, despite the “party problems of the past”. 
  • The new Mayor of Andover has said he hopes to help residents ‘achieve their aspirations’ as he embarks on his year in office.
  • A woman from Enham is calling on a major phone operator to change its directory system, after realising Andover is in the ‘wrong’ phone book. 
  • A new Mayor of Test Valley has been elected at a ceremony held in Andover on Wednesday morning (May 18).
  • Police are reminding residents of some crime prevention advice following a number of non-dwelling burglaries in the Winchester, Eastleigh and Test Valley districts.
  • Students at The Wellington Academy in Tidworth swapped the classroom for two coastlines as they took part in a 100-mile cycling challenge to raise money for their partner school in Kenya.
  • PLUS: Two pages of YOUR letters
  • Kit Malthouse MP's May column
  • An eight-page puzzle special
  • Entertainment news
  • Sports news
  • And much, much more
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