Yorkshire Coast Pet Care have been urging dog walkers to stay clear of beaches in the region after a number of dogs fell ill with sickness and diarrhoea.

The group, which has several practices in the region, this week revealed it had become "inundated" with poorly pets - with a beach visit the common denominator.

Read more: Vet issues warning after dogs fall ill on North East beaches

But providing an update Brogan Proud, a veterinary nurse at the group, said "dozens" of dogs had fallen ill as the situation is "still happening."

She told The Northern Echo: "We're trying to get more information. This is still happening, dogs are going on the beach and coming off ill. 

"Clearly, there's no official line from any of the authorities, they have told me they are testing.

"I have had lots of people emailing asking me 'could it be this, could it be that' and I have passed this onto to the liks of Defra and Cefas.

"We're still in the dark."

Read more: DEFRA 'aware' after reports of dogs falling ill on North East beaches

Ms Proud, who first sounded the warning on Monday, said her guidance to dog walkers was to remain avoiding the beach until they have got to the bottom of it.

"We are no further forward on finding out what it is because they don't know. I am not taking my dogs on the beach and I wouldn't be taking any one elses."

Addressing reports that as many of 150 dogs have fallen ill, Ms Proud said that figure had not originated at her practice.

In recent days, dozens of pet owners have been taking to social media to report the same symptoms across the North East.

Dog owners in the Redcar and Cleveland, Scarborough - and even the Whitley Bay area in North Tyneside, have reported symptoms.

One dog owner said: "My little dog goes to Redcar beach every morning, she’s been poorly since last Friday sick and diarrhoea.

"Very sleepy (and) not her usual self at all now."

Another said: "Our puppy was ill from Thursday, we never realised it could be the beach.

"Until we walked him on South Bay, Scarborough again Saturday evening. Sunday he was ill with sickness and upset tummy again."

However, thankfully there have not been any reports of deaths from the mystery illness.

DEFRA has so far confirmed it is aware of reports of dogs falling ill after a visit to the region's beaches, while it said it is working with the Animal and Plant Health Authority.

But one local authority, which is aware of reports on its beaches, today confirmed dicussions are currently ongoing but that the cause and locations are "unclear."

A Scarborough Borough Council spokesperson said: “The cause of the illness, and the locations it appears to be linked to, are unclear.

“While dogs walked on beaches have been affected, we have also read reports from dog owners that the same symptoms are affecting dogs only walked at inland locations away from beaches.

“We are in discussions with our partner organisations to gather intelligence and carry out investigations into possible causes.

“If any vets have information about possible links to a canine virus that could help these investigations, we kindly ask them to contact our dog warden service.”

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