Toxic algae may be the cause of the tragic deaths of four dogs at Elk Creek in southwest Oregon.

The Department of Environmental Quality took water samples at multiple locations along Elk Creek earlier this week. The samples are being analyzed to see if they contain any of the types of algae that are known to sicken people and kill pets.

The first deaths occurred Aug. 21, when a Eugene man brought his two dogs to a fishing spot close to where Elk Creek joins the Umpqua River. The dogs started vomiting and convulsing — one died at the edge of the river and the other in the car.

A third dog died last week, and a fourth death was reported Sunday. The last one happened a couple of miles upstream, near Elk Creek’s confluence with Little Tom Foley Creek.

In addition to algae, experts are also considering other possible causes of the dog deaths, including poison bait used to control coyotes.

Source: The Associated Press