A COMMUNITY campaigner has voiced her concerns about algae in a Greenock dam after a dog who ran into the water reportedly died.

Ivy Siegfried, secretary of Cowdenknowes Residents’ Association, raised the matter after hearing how the animal died after being in the dam at Thom Street.

This issue was brought up at an association meeting on Monday night – and the council has been alerted.

Mrs Siegfried said: “I am worried the algae may be dangerous or poisonous.

“The children are off school on holiday soon, and if we get another spell of hot weather, they’ll be going up to the dam.

“Some go fishing up there and it could be a danger to them.

“I think better signage is needed for a start.”
Pensioner Chris Brindley, who lives in Thom Street, was the person who highlighted the issue.

She said: “A couple of weeks ago I noticed a man and a woman at the dam, just where the police club is.

“They seemed to be concerned and told me they had pulled their dog out of the dam. 

“It was very hot and he’d gone in. I asked if I could get some water for their pet, but they told me he was dead.

“They were obviously upset, he was lying on the bank.”
Chris is asking for tests on the algae to find out if it is dangerous to people and/or animals.

She is also calling for dog owners to keep their pets on leads.

A council spokesman said: “Our officers will arrange for the reservoir to be examined at these locations. If any remedial measures are required these will be carried out.