Deadly Algae Bloom Might Be Linked To K9's Death: Hall Sheriff

HALL COUNTY, GA — The death of a Hall County Sheriff's K9 may be linked to lethal blue green algae in lakes and ponds, a hazard behind recent cases of other animals dying of exposure to the toxins.

Algae blooms can produce irritants and/or toxins, called cyanotoxins, which can pose health risks to humans and animals. Reports nationwide of dogs dying after swimming in ponds containing blue-green algae have surfaced in the past week.

The department posted on Facebook Wednesday that Gus, the 8-year-old Hall County Sheriff’s Office bloodhound known for tracking down suspects and warming hearts in the community died at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 13.

"Gus was on duty with his handler earlier in the day Tuesday when he dropped and couldn’t hold his head up," the department wrote. "The two were not tracking anyone at the time. Deputies rushed Gus to Murrayville Veterinary Clinic for treatment, according to Sheriff’s Office Uniform Patrol Division Captain Brad Rounds.

Gus’ blood work looked good, and after IV fluids and care, his condition was improving before he took a turn for the worse. His body will be sent to the University of Georgia for an autopsy."

The department said Gus had tracked down a suspect in the past couple of days. He cooled off in a pond during the track and successfully located the suspect, the Sheriff's Office said. Recent reporting on toxic blue-green algae in ponds concerned Rounds, and he hopes the autopsy will shed some light on Gus’ death.

Members of the Sheriff’s Office, Gainesville Police Department and others paid their respects to Gus by escorting his body to Little and Davenport Funeral Home where they had an opportunity to say goodbye on Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 14.

Gus’ handler and companion, Jeremy Prickett, was on hand with family members and other K9 handlers in the department. To the Pricketts and handlers, Gus was more than a member of the department, he was family, the department said.

“Gus and all of the dogs at the Hall County Sheriff’s Office serve the community admirably, but they’re so much more than that,” Sheriff Gerald Couch said. “They’re partners with their handlers, loved companions at home and friends of the public at outreach events. Gus was all of these things. He’s apprehended countless suspects over the years, and was an amazing dog. Everyone in the department will miss him, but for his handler, Deputy Prickett, and the Prickett family, the loss will be greater.”

Over the past year, Prickett and Gus have been training bloodhound Bella. Gus was due to retire with the Pricketts while Bella took his position. Bella has some big shoes to fill, according to Rounds.

“The only way you can get away from him (Gus) is get in a car and leave or get airlifted out of there, because he’ll find you. He’s something else,” Rounds said last year when the department welcomed Bella to the team.

"Gus had an excellent record of service, offered friendship to anyone who approached and served as an extraordinary ambassador for the agency," the Sheriff's Office said. "To say he was a good dog is an understatement."

On Saturday, a dog died after swimming in Lake Allatoona in Cartersville. Arya, the border collie, began vomiting and was pronounced dead by the time it reached the emergency vet an hour later, owners Morgan and Patrick Fleming said.

In North Carolina, Melissa Martin and Denise Mintz took their three dogs — two West Highland terriers and a golden doodle mix — on a doggie playdate to swim in a pond and play in the mud. Within minutes of leaving the pond, one of the dogs began having a seizure, owner Melissa Martin said on Facebook. By the end of the night, all three dogs were dead, the victims of blue-green algae poisoning, according to the dog owners.

"At 12:08 a.m., our dogs crossed the rainbow bridge together," Martin wrote. "They contracted blue green algae poisoning and there was nothing they could do. We are gutted. I wish I could do today over. "

Several dogs have also reportedly died after swimming in an Austin, Texas lake believed to have been contaminated with toxic blue-green algae.

If you spot a blue-green algae bloom

If you see a potential harmful algae bloom, avoid the water.

• Do not swim or wade through algal scums
• Do not boat, water ski, jet ski, or fish where algal scum is present
• Do not let dogs drink, eat, or lick algal scum off their fur
• Wash your dog off with clean water immediately if your dog swims or wades in water during an algal bloom.