Cornwall Council has issued a warning to dog owners after reports of palm oil on beaches in the local area - with some found in Falmouth today.

Palm oil can get into the marine environment when it is legally released at sea by ships.

Whilst on the ships, and whilst in the sea, palm oil can become contaminated with other waste products and because it's edible it can be attractive to some animals who can become ill after coming into contact with it.

A post by a local resident on social media read:

"My son found what we believe to be palm oil on Castle Beach, dog owners beware."

Cornwall Council's advice is as follows:

"Laboratory testing has shown that this substance is a non-toxic, degraded edible oil or fat.

"However, there have been reports of dogs becoming seriously ill after ingesting the substance. Some dogs that have consumed small quantities of palm oil have suffered from vomiting and diarrhoea, which has led to severe dehydration.

"Some dogs that have eaten larger amounts of the substance have suffered a range of effects including kidney damage, liver failure and blockages of the gut. In some instances, this has resulted in the dog needing to be put down."

If you see palm oil on the beaches in the area you can report it on 0300 1234 141.

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