Mayor: No Reports Made About Dog Deaths After Dog Park Visits

GROTON, CT—A Facebook post shared by more than 1,000 people said there is "apparently bacteria" at the town's Copp Family Park 'Central Bark' dog park and that it led to dog deaths.

On Sunday, Aug. 18, Patch called Groton officials, including Animal Control, to determine if a Facebook post that alleged there was possible deadly-to-dogs bacteria in the dirt in a town dog park could be confirmed.

An officer said she had no knowledge of any such report, was provided the information and said she'd look into it, but said it unlikely that two dogs would have died right after being at the park and officials not be aware.

The post by Facebook user Cort Wils "from Mystic," was a caution to dog owners to steer clear of the park with their pups.

"Dog parents: If you go to the GROTON dog park 'cop (sic) family park' I'd avoid it for a while. I know of two dogs that have passed away in the last week with in 24-72 hr of leaving the park. There is apparently a bacteria in the dirt. Complaints have been filled with the town."

The post, which was shared by Wils to the Stonington Community Forum Facebook group page, was shared and seen by more than 1,000 people on her page alone. Including Groton Town Councilor Rachael Franco.

Franco asked on Wils' post to have Wils or the owners of the pets who perished after being at the park contact her. She said the post included dubious information.

"I have been following this post since Saturday evening, I've had ongoing contact with the Groton Town Manager, and reached out to Cort Wils requesting the pet owner contact me via email so I can find out what exactly is going on and help resolve this matter."

It's not clear if Wils contacted Franco, but Wils did address questions about her claims.

"Apparently the dog park is the only place both the ladies ever took the dogs to to socialize was that dog park, and when it died the vet said that it was due to a fungus that is found in areas where there is a lot of untreated pee and poop. So that was the only place she could think where it could have happened. It wasn't a week ago, but recent enough for tom to have remembered it and brought it up. You have to treat with lime to diffuse the bacteria levels, and they don't do that ...at least not regularly."

In her post, Franco advised, "Until we hear substantiated information please see the following post from Parks and Recreation."

She followed it with a share of the post from the Groton Parks and Recreation Department's Central Bark Dog Park Facebook page.

But Wils maintained that dogs died after being at the park and that a vet said it was dirt "over run with poop and pee."

"I know one of the women who's dog passed. She was at the vet a few days before the dog passed all was well Including white blood cell count. Two days later after the dog passed the vet tested and the count was extremely low. He said the symptoms resembled parvo. The toxicology report will be back tomorrow. The other dog that passed had same symptoms and the vet said the same thing, also that it seems it could have come from a bacteria or fungus that stems from the dirt and play area not being treated and over run with poop and pee."

Groton Mayor Patrice Granatosky also took the Facebook route to address the issue. On Wils' post she wrote, “No one has contacted the Town’s Animal Control Officer or Parks & Recreation Department regarding this, and the issue related to the concern has not been verified."

But she also added notes to pet owners about making sure to "pick up after" their dogs and keep vaccines up-to-date.

"Pet health and well being is a priority for us. As such, we ask that everyone be mindful to pick up after their dog when they do to the bathroom. Also, as a reminder, to help ensure the well being of all the dogs who visit Central Bark, please follow your Veterinarian’s recommendations on vaccinations and appropriate time frames for socializing very young puppies."

Granatosky asked residents with question or concerns to contact the parks department.