Dog owners are being warned to stay alert for symptoms of a deadly disease after a case was reported in Lincoln.
The flesh-eating disease known as Alabama Rot can be contracted from mud picked up on dogs’ paws and legs during walks.
It was first detected in the UK in 2012 and is said to damage blood vessels of the skin and kidneys. The exact cause is unknown, according to Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists.
Symptoms often lead to ulceration of the skin an severe kidney failure.
A Suspected Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy (also termed as CRGV or Alabama Rot) case was reported in Lincoln at the start of 2018.
Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists confirmed the diagnosis on March 20, among a number of other locations in the UK.
The organisation told The Lincolnite it did not have details of any specific walking location in connection with the illness, but that it would be making further enquiries with local vets.
Anderson Moores is the leading specialist in the UK, recording cases of Alabama Rot, usually through post-mortem examinations.
This brings the total number of cases to 30 since the start of 2018 in the UK.
Other cases were suspected in Axminster and Plymouth (Devon), Worthing (West Sussex), Tooting and Dulwich (London), Little Hulton and Sale (Greater Manchester), Long Eaton (Nottinghamshire) and Hayle (Cornwall).
There have been two confirmed cases in Lincoln since 2012.
Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists warned: “We continue to advise owners to be vigilant and to seek advice from their local vet if their dog develops unexplained skin lesions/sores.
“Although an environmental trigger for this disease is suspected, this has not been proven.
Most commonly, sores are said to be found below the elbow or the knee and appear as distinct swelling.
Within two to seven days, the affected dogs develop outward signs of sudden kidney failure, which can include limiting, reduced hunger and an unusual tiredness.
Vets can run a number of tests to determine the underlying cause.
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Officers were called to the scene of a fatal road traffic collision on the M180 at around 9:15pm on Saturday 14 May.
It is reported that a grey Ford Focus left the eastbound carriageway between junction 3 (M181) and junction 4 (A15).
Unfortunately, a female passenger was pronounced deceased at the scene. Our thoughts are with the woman’s family and friends as they come to terms with their loss. They are being supported by specially trained officers at this difficult time.
The driver was taken to hospital for treatment on minor injuries.
Anyone with dashcam footage, or who may have seen the vehicle prior to the incident, is asked to contact us on our non-emergency number 101, quoting log 602 of 14 May.
A video has already appeared online showing a man throwing the first eggs at the newly installed £300k statue of Margaret Thatcher in Grantham town centre.
The video, shared by Twitter user @DesignsBarnes shows a male in a white t-shirt and khaki trousers walk to the statue with a box of eggs and a newspaper under one arm before lobbing the eggs towards the monument.
South Kesteven District Council declined to comment on the incident.
It comes as opponents say the statue of Margaret Thatcher erected in Grantham on Sunday will “bitterly divide” the town and nation.
The £300,000 bronze memorial to the Iron Lady was installed at 7am on Sunday morning.
Conservative leaders hailed it as a “fitting tribute” to to the first female Prime Minister who grew up in the town.
They said the hope was to “inspire, educate and inform” people and said the town should “never hide from our history”.
Mystery man throws first eggs at the new Thatcher statue unveiled today in Grantham pic.twitter.com/js2cwaidw5
— Dee Barnes Designs (@DesignsBarnes) May 15, 2022
However, opponents say the statue will only serve to cause harm to the town in its current prominent location.
Many believe the statue should not have been installed, or if it must, then it should be within the town’s museum.
Labour group leader at the authority, Councillor Lee Steptoe said: “‘She remains the most divisive PM in history, who cared little for the town she was born in or the millions who lost their jobs under her rush to de-industrialise and privatise the economy.
“Her place should be in the museum with a balance sheet of what she undoubtedly achieved against the cost of her policies such as the Poll Tax riots that helped bring her down.
“Like her statues are divisive and these Victorian concepts have no place in 21st Century.
“Sadly like her, the statue will now bitterly divide Grantham and the nation.”
The statue is lowered into place. | RSM Photography
Some have pointed out that the timing of the installation may indicate that those behind the plans were well aware of the threats that have been made around the statue and the opposition to it.
Twitter user @Rusthallred pointed out: “7am on a Sunday a normal time to put such a widely respected and loved person on a plinth?”
South Kesteven Liberal Democrat Councillor Amanda Wheeler said: “It’s interesting that they chose to erect it quietly without any fanfare on a Sunday morning.
“As a district councillor I wasn’t even aware it was happening and I suspect my invitation to the official opening may well be lost in the post.”
The statue is lowered into place. | RSM Photography
On social media, the divide was also already present.
On Twitter @OCallaghanRedux wrote: “Look forward to seeing the statue when I’m next in town. It’s important for towns to celebrate their famous sons and daughters; promotes civic pride and gives encouragement to the next generation.”
@Jrex62, however, wrote: “The witch was the architect of all the is wrong in the UK today. Let’s hope it doesn’t last long.”
Many already feared it would soon be damaged by vandals – something the council was warned about when it approved the plans in 2009.
@trawlerrider said: “It is a great thing but I fear it will be a constant object of attack from the idiots.”
Some even joked the harness lifting her into place, which had the appearance of a noose, should have been left on.
@Wag06237000 said: “Don’t take the lifting strap off, it suits her.”