Council closes dog park after labrador’s death

A dog owner has been left devastated after her labrador died following a visit to a popular dogwalking park in Christchurch.

The Groynes Dog Park was closed yesterday until further notice by the city council.

‘‘Dogs have become unwell and this is currently being investigated. The park is being closed for extra precaution,’’ a council social media post about the closure said.

Council head of parks Andrew Rutledge said park rangers had thoroughly searched the dog park and surrounds for evidence of cyno bacteria, and blue-green algae, but have found none. ‘‘The council does not use any poisons or baits for pest control in this area.’’ This clarified a statement on Friday, which said the council didn’t use poison at the park ‘‘outside of closed bait stations for vermin control in buildings’’.

Aimee Hiini told Sunday News her beloved Chief died on Wednesday just hours after she

took him to The Groynes Dog Park. ‘‘I took Chief there at 10am, and we were home by 11.30am, and he was fine.’’

Hiini said she went to look for him at about 2.45pm and found him shaking by her bed. She and her partner took him to a vet, who told them they would be in touch in about two hours. ‘‘We didn’t even make it home, and he rang to say [Chief] had passed.’’

Hiini said she didn’t know if Chief had ingested something at the park, but it was the only place she took him. Her other dog, a Cavoodle, who she didn’t take to the park, was fine.