Council warns of palm oil risk to dogs

Palm Oil is washing up on some beaches along East Devon’s Jurassic Coastline. Although it is not normally harmful to humans or birds, it can prove toxic to dogs if they eat it.

East Devon District Council is warning dog owners to beware of their pets eating the substance. And the council is offering to pick up any clumps of congealed palm oil that are reported to it.

If you find this substance on the beach, please contact East Devon District Council to arrange removal. You can call 01395 516551 or tell us via the Report Litter form on the East Devon App.

Councillor Iain Chubb, the council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “The experts on palm oil are the Environment Agency, who advise that it is not harmful to birds or people. But the substance can be harmful to dogs, some of which seem to like eating it.

“We want dog owners to be aware of the risks so they can ensure their pets don’t ingest the lumps of oil and become ill. We are happy to collect palm oil clumps from the beach if the public let us know where it is”.

Palm Oil is a vegetable oil that forms lumps like candle wax. When it washes up on beaches it can prove toxic to dogs if eaten.