Dog Dies After Swimming In Chattahoochee River

ROSWELL, GA — A dog from Milton has died after swimming in the river along Gold Branch Trail near Roswell last month, from possibly toxic algae blooms in the water.

The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper group posted on Facebook Jan. 29 saying they conducted a water quality test conducted on Jan. 27 in the Chattahoochee River at the Gold Branch Trail. That testing revealed "small traces of cyanobacteria-based toxins that can potentially be damaging to human and animal health," the group said.

The testing was due in part to the group being notified that cyanobacteria, commonly referred to as blue-green algae, may be in the water, after a dog named Chewy died on Jan. 24 the day after swimming in the river along Gold Branch Trail.

The dog's owner, Susan Warner, told WSB-TV that Chewy swam in Bull Sluice Lake with his body partly submerged, but not completely underwater. But just a few minutes later, the 4-year-old Golden Retriever/English Creme mix stopped walking.

She took him to the Animal Wellness Clinic near their Milton home, where Dr. Bonny Willhite saw him.

“Chewy presented paralyzed, couldn’t walk and my staff had to carry him in,” Willhite told WSB-TV. “His mucous membranes were extremely pale, and he was in respiratory distress, critical respiratory distress.”

The pup started to decline, so Warner took her dog to an emergency veterinarian hospital in Sandy Springs, but the dog died.

“It was devastating,” Willhite told the TV station. “We tried everything and to have that sort of helpless feeling is just indescribable. I like to take pride in how hard I work on my cases and not letting anything slip behind. But there was nothing that I did. It was just bizarre.”

After he died, Willhite said she thinks Chewy died from a neurotoxin in the water, based on his symptoms.

On Saturday, the Chattahoochee Riverkeepers posted an update saying, "the samples collected so far were at levels that are not considered dangerous, and they, "encourage you to avoid pooling and stagnant water as you enjoy the river and bring water with you for your pet."

"This is the first incident of suspected health effects associated with toxic cyanobacteria blooms in the main stem of the Chattahoochee River," Chattahoochee Riverkeepers said. "Cyanobacteria (or blue-green algae) are naturally produced microscopic organisms that are found in various waterways across the world. In some cases they can produce harmful toxins. An investigation is ongoing to try to determine if toxins are to blame in this unfortunate situation."

The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and University of Georgia are also conducting additional testing for toxins produced by cyanobacteria.

"[Chattahoochee Riverkeepers] recommends that pet owners always exercise caution when exploring natural waterways and avoid stagnant pools of water," the group said. "Contact your local veterinarian and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division should your dog show symptoms of illness after coming into contact with natural waterways.

"[Chattahoochee Riverkeepers] and many vital partner organizations and agencies are constantly working to improve water quality, ensure safe recreation, and prevent excess nutrients and pollution from entering our watershed. Our sympathies remain with Chewy’s family as we work to keep people and pets as safe as possible while enjoying the Chattahoochee River."