2 dogs die after swimming in Lady Bird Lake

Pet owners are being warned to keep their animals out of Lady Bird Lake. The City of Austin does not want pets to swim in or drink water from Lady Bird Lake after being notified that two dogs died after swimming in the lake. City officials say they can’t confirm the cause of death in either case but are issuing the advisory as a precaution until toxicity tests are complete on water and algae samples.

“It's like brown kind of squishy clumps,” said Kevin Wilson who was watching his dog swim in Lady Bird Lake.

“At first I wasn't sure. I thought it might have been some sewage poop or something. It kind of looked pretty gross,” said Chris Kessler who lets his dog swim in LBL several times a week.

The City of Austin says what looks like scum is blue-green algae. Not all types of blue-green algae are dangerous, but some blooms produce harmful toxins which can stop a dog’s liver from functioning properly. On Monday, warning signs were up at the dog park on Red Bud Isle advising pet owners to keep their animals out of the water. The COA says the algae covers 40% of the water’s surface in that area.

At noon on Monday, the Watershed Protection Department was still in the process of putting warning signs at Auditorium Shores. The blue-green algae problem wasn’t as pervasive at the downtown dog park, but CBS Austin did spot clumps along the shore.

“I wish there were some signs. You were the first person to tell me about it,” said Wilson who was letting Paloma play in the water. “She's already been in it, so I need to watch her now and make sure she doesn't have any symptoms that she's feeling ill or has skin rashes or anything.”

Dogs that drink or swim in contaminated water may show symptoms within minutes to hours of exposure. The symptoms include excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, foaming at the mouth, blood in urine or dark urine, stumbling and loss of appetite.

Kessler plans to keep an eye on his dog but says he’s optimistic toxicity tests on the blue-green algae won't reveal any problems.

“Didn't know there was a warning until you told me, and the algae has been out here about two weeks now and we've been in here and he's been fine,” said Kessler.

The COA says the results of the toxicity tests will be available early next week.

CBS Austin asked the City of Austin for an interview, but the Watershed Protection Department said no one was available.