Dog owners warned about killer rancid fat on beaches

Pet owners are being warned about globules of rancid fat washed up on beaches after a dog had to be destroyed after eating some.

Bright white lumps of decomposing fat have been washing up along the Welsh coast for at least a fortnight.

Experts are at loss to explain where it originated, but speculate Atlantic storms could have washed it over to the UK or passing ships dumped it at sea.

While posing no risk to people, the fat can cause potentially serious problems for dogs, which have digestive systems unable to cope with the rancid matter.

Experts with Natural Resources Wales are warning dog walkers to be “vigilant”.

Surfer Daniel Hart, 32, was forced to put his dog Maisey to sleep after she ate a quantity of what is believed to be congealed vegetable oil.

A spokesman for Swansea County Council said it would investigate reports of the fat but had so far encountered nothing.

He said cleaning the beach would be the responsibility of the landowner in the area affected, which might be the council, the National Trust, the Countryside Council for Wales or a private proprietor.