Pet owners warned after water-borne disease leaves 10 dogs dead
Ten canines reported dead and pet picnic and parade is cancelled as water-borne disease carried by rats infects streams and puddles
Pet owners are being warned not to let their dogs drink or swim in streams after a spate of deaths from a disease caused by bacteria often carried by rats.
Ten dogs out of at least 12 that have fallen ill in recent weeks with leptospirosis - a water-borne disease also potentially fatal to humans - have died.
One remains seriously ill in a veterinary hospital after undergoing a blood transfusion.
Many of those infected became ill after walks around The Peak, Pok Fu Lam and Sai Kung.
The threat is regarded as so serious that an animal parade and picnic organised as part of Hong Kong's gay and lesbian Pink Season has been postponed after it was revealed that several of the dogs infected with the bacteria had swam in or drunk from streams close to the venue.
The Pink Paws Parade was due to take place at the Victoria Peak Gardens next Saturday to coincide with Peace One Day, but its organisers say they have been forced to put it on hold because of fears that the bacteria that causes leptospirosis was in streams near the park.
Dr Tony Matthews, who has treated several of the infected dogs at the Acorn Veterinary Hospital in Mid-Levels, said even dogs vaccinated against the disease were falling ill.
