Maine Town Warns Of Toxic Algae After 2 Dogs Die While Swimming

CUMBERLAND, ME — City officials issued a warning to residents and visitors to stay out of the water at Twin Brook Recreation Area in Cumberland after two dogs died over the weekend from swimming in a suspected toxic algae bloom.

In a notice posted to the city's website, officials said they were made aware of possible blue-green algae in the public space's water. Officials are working with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to test the water and confirm the presence of toxic algae, according to the city.

The notice came after two residents reported their dogs became ill while swimming in the water, the Portland Press Herald reported. One of the residents was forced to euthanize her two dogs after coming in contact with the possible algae bloom.

"We got the test results back and discovered they had blue-green algae toxicity," Girardin wrote on a community Facebook page for Cumberland, according to the Press Herald. "The combo of the heat a few weeks ago with the drought made it for the right conditions for blue-green algae to grow. I don’t want anyone to go through what our family did."

Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, is most commonly found in fresh water, such as lakes, rivers, and streams, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Blooms can look like foam, scum, mats or paint on the surface of the water.

Dogs, livestock and other animals can suffer severe illness or death within minutes to days of swallowing toxins from cyanobacterial blooms, according to the CDC.

If you see a bloom, health officials recommend staying out of the water. You should also keep your pets out of the water because you can't tell if a bloom is harmful just by looking at it.