Environment Agency slammed for putting dogs’ health at risk at Seaburn beauty spot

Councillors in Sunderland are demanding that the Environment Agency takes urgent action to clean up a stream on Wearside after local vets issued warnings that dogs suffering vomiting and diarrhoea could be linked to visits to the Cutthroat Dene area of Seaburn.

Local Lib Dem coucillors for the Fulwell and Seaburn area of the city have been asking the Environment Agency for action for two years following evidence of faecal contamination of the stream at Cutthroat Dene in Seaburn – a popular spot for dog walkers.

Wearside Lib Dems have also raised concerns with authorities about slurry being spread on adjacent fields draining into the dene. The stream flows onto Seaburn beach and into the designated bathing area of the Sunderland sea front.

A meeting between Lib Dem councillors and the Environment Agency was scheduled for 18 June to discuss pollution in the stream, but local councillor Malcolm Bond says local residents have already waited too long for the authorities to act.

Local vets have this week advised dog walkers to avoid the area after saying that a spike in animals suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea could be linked to the area.

The opposition party also forced Sunderland Council to write to the Environment Agency in 2022 asking them to hold a public inquiry into the local sewage system in the area – something which has not happened.

Local Lib Dem councillor for Fulwell and Seaburn Malcolm Bond said:

“For ages we have been urging the Environment Agency to take action on farm slurry sprayed on nearby fields making its way into the stream, which leads directly onto Seaburn beach.

“Our warnings have seemingly not resulted in effective action by the Environment Agency. We have local vets warning dog walkers to avoid the area after a spate of pets with suspected E Coli poisoning.

“Environment Agency bosses must urgently carry out a full investigation of this latest series of incidents and come up with a plan to protect Cutthroat Dene from any further contamination. Local residents need to be able to exercise their precious pets safely. We need to be sure water quality at this popular spot and on nearby beaches isn’t being allowed to be constantly contaminated.”