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In the past two weeks, seven dogs near Venice Canals, CA, have died and 11 more were taken to the hospital—the cause of the illness is still unknown.
The pet owners claimed the dogs were in perfect health when, suddenly, they seemed lethargic and nauseated, some even having seizures.
Venice Canals, a historic California neighborhood, is renowned for its thriving dog culture, where residents are highly aware of their furry friends.
The canals are a network of human-made waterways in Los Angeles’ Venice Beach neighborhood. Originally, the canal system spanned 16 miles, but today only six canals remain.
The neighborhood is lined with sidewalks and pedestrian bridges, naturally allowing for leisurely walks and views of the residential architecture. When word got out that some dogs in Los Angeles were exhibiting concerning behavior, several owners decided to take action.
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Eric Torres, the owner of a 4-year-old golden retriever, said he was on one of his daily 4-mile walks around the canals when his dog became severely sick.
His dog, Chloe, had collapsed and begun seizing on the way to the hospital. After running several tests, Access Specialty Animal Hospital staff said the results were inconclusive. At that point, Torres and his husband were deciding whether to put Chloe on life support. Not wanting their beloved pet to suffer any more, they chose not to, and Chloe died hours later.
“We’re still baffled by it, and I know the vets at [Access Specialty] were also baffled by it,” Torres told the Los Angeles Times. “She was still, relatively, a very young dog. … I feel like we’re living in a toxic environment, and something is affecting them.”
At first, Torres decided against a necropsy, unsure that the report would give them any closure. However, as more dogs became mysteriously ill, Torres consented to one, hoping to get some answers for the community.
“My initial reaction was like, ‘Well, [a necropsy] is not going to bring my dog back,’” Torres said. “Now that it’s affecting so many other dogs, I think I’d like to know what it is. … I still have a dog at home.”
Neighborhood residents began seeing notices that listed the symptoms dogs were exhibiting. Some signs cautioned owners about sharing dog bowls with others. In some cases, they were advised to stay away from the canals in general.
“People started putting two and two together,” says Christina Krause, the social media manager for the Venice Canals Association, a local nonprofit. “We realized very quickly that there were too many deaths in a really condensed area that has really healthy dogs.”
The area, which was usually a dog haven, became barren.
“People are scared. … I personally haven’t even walked in the canals these past couple of days,” says Sophia Rochia, a local business owner. “Whether you just got a dog, or you had your dog for years and this happened, it’s horrible. … It’s like losing a family member or best friend.”
Dog owners were advised to monitor their pets when outside, keep them on a leash, and restrict them from sniffing or eating unknown substances around the canals. Anyone who believes their dog could be ill should see a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Some have speculated about the cause of the deadly illness—flea medicine, growing algae, and snail poison were all theories. Despite the many warnings to stay away from the canals, dog owners said they still have to take their pets out for a daily walk in Venice Beach.
“I still have a dog, I still have to let her out to pee and go out,” says Venice Canals resident Jamie Simms. “It’s just a ghost town, and we have to keep all of them safe and figure out what’s going on.”