A DOG who died after collapsing on a Prestatyn beach lost his life as a result of his own “underlying health conditions”, his owner has said.

The dog collapsed on Barkby Beach on Monday (January 2), with the Rhyl Coastguard team called to the incident shortly after 1pm.

It was later transferred to an emergency vet in Chester, but sadly, its organs began to fail and it died later that day.

After residents with dogs expressed concern that the beach may pose a health risk to their pets, the owner has now allayed such fears.

She told the Journal: “There is no risk to the public. We didn’t realise he had underlying health conditions.

“It wasn’t from something he picked up from the beach, so there’s no worry for the public.

“The incident happened at the beach, but when we took him to the vet, we found he had underlying health conditions which we had no idea about (previously).”

Another member of the family who owned the dog confirmed to the Journal that it had died yesterday (January 4).

They added: “On their behalf, I would like to thank the amazing rescue team for all of their help.”

Rhyl Coastguard Rescue Team said on Monday: “The team were tasked this afternoon to help the owners of a dog that had collapsed on the beach in Prestatyn.

“Due to the size of the dog, and the nature of its distress, the owners were unable to move the dog. It was also quite a distance to walk it back to land.

“The team assembled on scene, devised a plan and were able to assist in extracting the dog from the beach, back to the car park, using our multi-purpose carrier and securing straps.

“The dog was then transferred to the owners’ vehicle at Barkby Beach car park, for onward transportation to an emergency vet.”

The RSPCA’s advice on walking dogs on or near beaches is: “If you're walking on beaches or near areas where seals will come out of the water to rest, make sure your dog is on a lead and keep at least 100 metres distance and as far away from the seals as possible to avoid disturbing them.”

A spokesperson for the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) added: "We're incredibly sorry to hear about the death of the dog at Barkby Beach in Prestatyn, our thoughts are with the dog’s family.

"We don't know the exact details of this specific situation, but do have lots of general advice on keeping pets safe while enjoying the beach."

The PDSA’s recommendations for dog owners visiting the beach with their pets are as follow:

  • Check the beach is dog-friendly

Some beaches only allow dog visitors at specific times of the year or in certain areas. You can find out whether the beach you’re planning to visit is dog-friendly by looking online or by checking for signs when you arrive.

  • Be aware of potential hazards:

There are a few hazards on the beach that have the potential to dampen the day, including the classic beach components – sand and seawater. It’s always best to be aware of them, so you can keep your dog safe.

  • Broken glass or sharp objects

Glass and other sharp objects can be hidden in the sand or amongst pebbles and can cut the pad of your dog’s paw if stepped on. Make sure you keep a first aid kit handy and keep an eye out for hazards that might cause an injury. If your dog does get a cut, make sure you keep it clean by washing it well with fresh water and try to cover the wound, before heading off to the vet.

  • Sand

Eating and swallowing sand can actually cause stomach problems for your dog, as the sand can compact in them and cause a blockage.

When throwing toys for your pooch on the beach, be careful that they’re not accidently swallowing lots of sand as they’re playing. Choose toys that pick up less sand – such as a Frisbee rather than a fuzzy beach ball, and discourage your dog from eating or chewing the sand while they dig or play, can help prevent the risk.

  • Seawater

Drinking salty sea water can give your dog sickness and/or diarrhoea - and in some cases can make them seriously ill and dehydrated. Always take plenty of fresh tap water, along with a travel bowl to stop your dog from being tempted to drink water from rock pools, puddles or the sea.

If your dog's been in for a dip, rinse them with fresh water when you get home to prevent them licking any salt from their fur – and don’t forget to clean their ears, as water in the ear canal can cause infections.

  • Be cautious when swimming

Swimming is a great exercise for dogs and most of the time it's a safe, fun activity – but it's important to know what to do in an emergency.

Not all dogs are natural swimmers – some can be scared, so don’t force your dog into the water, let them decide if they want to take a dip.

If your dog is eager to dive in but they’ve not had any experience swimming, they'll need to get the hang of how to swim before taking a plunge in the ocean. With waves and currents, the sea isn’t the best place for them to take their first dip and they’ll need to learn to swim in shallow, calm water first.

Regardless of whether your dog is a strong swimmer, the sea can still be unpredictable. There are lots of strong currents, undertows and rip currents, and even a calm looking sea can have hidden dangers. During the winter months, there can be strong winds and a rough sea, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t let your dog swim, but it’s always best to take precautions to help keep them safe:

  • Read up about currents ahead of time.
  • When you arrive, check whether the beach has a lifeguard on duty.
  • Pay attention to signs or flags warning you not to swim.
  • If the sea looks dangerous, don’t let your dog swim.
  • Don’t let your pup swim in the sea if it’s very cold. 
  • Don’t forget to check the tide.
  • In cold weather make sure to dry off your dog quickly after swimming.
  • If you need help on the beach

If your dog does get into trouble in the water, call 999 immediately and ask for the coastguard.

It’s also a good idea to continue calling your dog from the shore – this will give them something to swim towards if they get disorientated in the waves.

While it’s natural to want to protect your dog, going into the water could put your life in danger and could confuse your dog as they aren’t able to find you on the shore.

Staying on the beach will help your dog to keep swimming in the right direction.