Warning to MN Dog Owners

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Officials are warning dog owners to beware of a dangerous algae showing up in Minnesota waters.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says a dog died last weekend after swimming in a Sherburne County lake that had developed areas of heavy algae growth.

The Star Tribune reports officials suspect blue-green algae killed the dog. They are advising pet owners to check water conditions when dogs are playing in lakes or slow-flowing streams.

Blue-green algae "blooms" have a thick, cloudy appearance that can look like green paint, pea soup or floating mats of scum. Some species of blue-green algae contain toxins that can be deadly to dogs, livestock and other animals.

In this case, most of the visible algae on Prairie Lake was not blue-green algae. But MPCA staff found some blue-green algae mixed in.