DOG walkers who were warned not to let their dogs go to Irvine Beach after a number fell ill are calling for more measures to be taken to clean the area’s boating pond.

On Tuesday Valley Veterinary Group issued a warning to dog owners after a number had arrived for treatment at their Kilmarnock and Stewarton practices presenting with the same symptoms – lethargy, vomiting and diarrhoea.

When the Times went along to the Beach Park, dog walkers were unanimous that neither the sea water, nor the jelly fish were to blame for dogs becoming poorly.

The beach had a lot of dogs happily running around and in and out of the water.

Sue Wilkie from Uplawmoor, who brings her dog Ram every day, said: “We come almost every day and she is fine, she runs around until her heart is content and we have been coming here for years.

“Don’t get me wrong I get nervous if there are a lot of jellyfish washed up but most dogs won’t go running up and stick their faces in them.

“Around the boating pond are warning signs about high levels of blue and green algae so she doesn’t go in there.”

One couple who take their greyhound to the Beach Park most days try and avoid him going into the pond.

The dog walker, who asked not to be named, said: “There are signs up every so often and on the occasions that he has leapt into the pond, he has always been sick that night.

“It’s a real pity as we don’t want to stop coming to the Beach Park. Greyhounds tend to run at cars so here, we can relax and let him enjoy running about.

“We try our best to stop him but I really don’t think the sea water is harmful, there is no foam.

“It must be this pond that is causing these poor dogs to become unwell.

“What they need to do is put some sort of filtration in to help keep it clean.

“They did it in a park in Kilmarnock by putting a fountain in to keep it clean.”

A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Council said: “The signs around the pond were put up some time ago after bluegreen algae was found – they have remained in place since as a precautionary measure.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Environment

Protection Agency (SEPA) said: “SEPA sampling officers visited Irvine Beach on August 25 and at the time of the visit there were no

visible signs of pollution at the beach or along the shoreline.

“We have not been notified of any pollution events in this area. But anyone who is concerned can contact us.”