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Ineta Kevin faces £13,000 vet bill after letting 10 dogs swim in the seemingly harmless Brooklands lake - which turned out to be toxic.

A woman is facing a shocking £13,000 vet bill after a scenic dog walk turned in a tragedy when three young and beloved canines died.

Dog walker and trainer Ineta Kevin was out on Tuesday, May 17, with 10 dogs – including her own two – in tow.

The excited pooches dove into Brooklands Lake, off Powder Mill Lane, but unbeknownst to anyone, the water was infested with deadly blue-green algae.

Top Dog Training School, Dartford, where Ineta works
Top Dog Training School, Dartford, where Ineta works

Ineta was out with her assistants Jordan and Matt, from the Top Dog Training School & Home Boarding in Swaledale Road, Dartford.

She said: “We've been to the lake many many times before and never had a problem.

“On the news they said it is the last beautiful day and then it will get cold, I thought to myself, what an amazing opportunity to take dogs swimming.

“We put all the dogs in the car and went, they were so happy, running around, splashing, chasing the ball.

“Then we decided it’s time to go and Pippa went into what looked like epileptic fit. Then Marley, then Stanley.”

Brooklands Lake in Dartford will remain closed for at least a week
Brooklands Lake in Dartford will remain closed for at least a week

She drove the dogs straight to the Accident & Emergency unit of Park Vets Hospital in Foots Cray, Sidcup.

The vets worked on the animals for about 45 minutes, but couldn’t save the three.

Pippa, a beagle, was nearly a year old while Stanley, a boxer, and Marley, a mongrel, were only around six months.

The other seven are still alive. Five have been discharged, but face lifelong problems and will require further medical attention.

One dog, Oscar is still fighting for his life at the animal hospital, and one of Ineta’s own dogs Kenny is only being discharged today.

Although Ineta had professional insurance, it will not cover the entire cost of the vets bill, which keeps rising as the two dogs remain in their care.

Top Dog Training School, Dartford
Top Dog Training School, Dartford

She added: “I haven’t been myself since and still all my family is devastated as the pups were under my care.”

Council tests came back positive for the algae earlier this week and the lake has been closed off until further notice.

A statement from Dartford council read: “The Environment Agency has confirmed that initial tests have detected Blue-Green Algae in Brooklands Lakes and that they have sent further samples of the water for testing.

“The algae growth is naturally-occurring and is potentially harmful to humans and toxic to animals.”

2013: blue-green algae appears at Brooklands Lakes
2013: blue-green algae appears at Brooklands Lakes

But the agency has confirmed there is no action the council can take to remove the algae from the lakes or prevent it growing.

It’s likely a change in the weather will be needed to kill it off.

The lake is owned by Dartford council, and managed by the Dartford and District Angling and Preservation Society.

Council leader Jeremy kite (Con) said: “The algae is naturally occurring phenomenon. The council’s responsibility is to act fast when things like this happen.

“It’s a heartbreaking situation for the dog owners, but I can’t comment of matters of liability.”

Parkvets have refused to comment on the situation.

Ineta has now set up a crowdfunding page to try and collect the money for the bill.

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