Waimea Weekly
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Wednesday 5 December 2012
TH BIRTHDAY 10 R OU S IT’ Walk to stop violence
WTTU seal final berth
River algae kills pet puppy Page 14
Andrew Board
A family puppy died last week after it was poisoned by toxic algae, the first known case of its kind in the Waimea River. Wakefield’s Stacey and Katie Lines took their two children and two eight month old puppies to the Waimea River, at Appleby, last Thursday night for a swim. The whole family went into the river and after the swim, drove back to Wakefield.
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It wasn’t until they unloaded the car that they noticed something was wrong with one of their dogs, Betty. “When we opened the car door she was convulsing. I just started crying and said ‘Stace, Stace, you’ve got to do something’,” says Katie. Stacey called the vet, rushed her into Richmond, but it was too late. Betty died in the car so Stacey turned around and came home. Katie says Betty’s tongue was very blue. “I can’t explain it, it was so blue like
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she’d had no air.” The algae is called Cyanobacteria and produces the neurotoxin anatoxin, which is potentially lethal to dogs, stock and humans when ingested in large amounts. Dogs that are known to eat the algae are most at risk. The algae has been a problem in Nelson’s Maitai River for some time but not in the Waimea river until now. It is a naturally occurring bacteria and not the result of outside contamination. There is
little that can be done to eliminate it apart from waiting for the river to be cleared naturally by significant rainfall increasing flows. Tasman District Council’s Chris Choat says it is a concern that the algae is suspected of causing the death of a dog and people need to be aware of the risks. He says signs will be erected at major SEE PAGE 2
Carol show ready to glow
Carols by Glowlight organiser Denise Adams is excited about this weekend’s event at Snowden’s Bush Reserve in Brightwater. Photo: Phillip Rollo.
The glowing success of Brightwater’s Carols by Glowlight has kept the event going for more than ten years. Event organiser Denise Adams, speaking just days before this year’s event, says it is an integral part of the Brightwater community and that is why it has been so successful with hundreds of people turning up each year to sing along to their favourite Christmas tunes. “The kindy starts off with the national anthem and some really cute songs, so make sure you bring grandma along for that,” she says. The event is officially run by St Paul’s Church, with help from the local volunteer fire brigade and the local school. “On the morning of the event we have stacks of the community coming down to help, it’s just great. Glow sticks became a popular addition to the event once it was deemed that candles were unsafe. This Saturday’s event begins at 5:30pm and event-goers are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner. However, there will be some food and drink available to purchase.
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