Following Scout’s death from suspected toxin poisoning, advocates are calling for changes to water testing in the ACT. Photo: Miranda Lahde.
To Miranda Lahde, kelpie mix Scout was her “little buddy” for the past three years.
The Belconnen woman, along with her husband Adam Fitzpatrick, adopted him when he was just a puppy in 2022.
“We would go out on adventures together and he loved chasing the ball … He knew a lot of people in the community,” Ms Lahde told Region.
A recent visit to Nengi Bamir, a dog beach at Lake Ginninderra, ended in tragedy when Ms Lahde realised Scout wasn’t walking properly.
“He tripped a couple of times, which I thought was strange – I thought that maybe he hurt his leg or it got strained swimming because he hadn’t gone swimming in a while.
“It was the first nice day of the year … When he got to the car, he couldn’t jump into the seat. I had to pick him up.”
She rushed him to the vet, but Scout started seizing, developed tachycardia and had trouble breathing during treatment.
“We had to make that call in the parking lot to let him go.
“We [Ms Lahde and her husband] went back in and said goodbye, and I told him that I was sorry and that he was a good boy.”
A government spokesperson told Region that it was aware of Scout’s “tragic death” earlier this month.
“In response to this report, the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] conducted a visual inspection at Nengi Bamir beach at Lake Ginninderra on 2 October 2025.
“The inspection indicated the presence of Tychonema sp at medium levels.”
Tychonema sp, a species of blue-green algae, is naturally occurring but can be toxic if ingested.
Dogs are particularly vulnerable to poisoning as clumps of algae can drift into shallow areas and be accidentally swallowed by the animal.
The latest EPA investigation (from 8 October) found low levels of both blue-green algae and Tychonema sp were present in the lake.
The spokesperson stated that, following the detection, warning signs have been installed, an alert has been released online, and user groups have been notified.
Water samples are also being analysed to confirm the specific algae species present, with the alert to be in force until the results are in.
In the meantime, the EPA will continue to carry out visual inspections.
A campaign has started, calling for changes to water testing in public waterways. Photo: Miranda Lahde.
Canberra Pet Rescue president Amanda Doelle said the changes don’t go far enough.
“I don’t think the average person has any idea what that means,” she said of the alert.
“There’s no warning … It says ‘open’ [on the government’s website].
“The only difference is that they’ve put up a sign at the beach three days later after Scout’s death, saying, ‘Now, don’t swim. People and dogs shouldn’t swim there.'”
The group is calling for more transparency around how often waterways are tested, as well as clear communication of the results to avoid further poisonings of Canberrans’ furry friends.
Lake Ginninderra is managed by the government and is tested regularly during the recreational season (from October to April each year), with the results released on a weekly basis.
The government spokesperson also pointed to the ACT Guidelines for Recreational Water Quality, which the government uses to guide its approach to several water sites in the Territory (including Lake Ginninderra).
It states that during an algae bloom, the number of toxins can change over time and be impossible to predict in advance.
Ms Doelle described the current system as inconsistent and confusing for dog owners.
“We’d really like to work with the ACT Government on understanding the testing, improving that testing and improving their communication and warning system, because dog owners need that security.
“We’ve really lost all confidence in the testing that’s been done … If they’re not [safe for dogs], we need to be given the warnings that we need to make informed decisions.”
She said the rescue was also aware of anecdotal reports of dogs becoming sick with Giardia and other illnesses after swimming at water bodies across Canberra.
In recent weeks, a four-month-old Dalmatian pup named Winnie was also hospitalised after swallowing water from Lake Ginninderra.
The government spokesperson advised people to check for any alerts before letting their dogs enter waterways to help ensure the animals’ safety.
The need for caution is echoed by Ms Lahde, who urges owners to prioritise their dog’s safety.
“[You should] always be aware of the places you take your dogs, even if they say they’re safe, and never let your dog out of your sight.”
Current warnings and information about the ACT’s water quality are available at City Services.
