Updated: Pollution at Pembroke Dock beach leaves dogs covered in oil

The oil pollution discovered at Llanreath. PICTURE: Martin Cavaney.

It is believed the oil at Llanreath beach, and adjoining Fort Road Beach, is the remnants of oil from contaminated land that once was the Llanreath oil fuel depot, destroyed by the Luftwaffe in 1940.

It is thought heavy rain may lead to oil residues from the ground leaching in to the water.

Leaf debris at the high-water mark has been found covered with globules of oil and there is oil sheen on the rocks. There is an odour of oil in the area.

 

The stream in the vicinity of the footpath coming down the valley from South Pembrokeshire Golf Club has also been impacted.

Posting on Facebook, Pembroke Dock dog owner Hayley Roberts said: “This is the state of my girls after a simple walk to Fort Road beach, I am so upset; they went in the tide and on to the beach for a few minutes and came out covered in thick black oil that stinks in thick black clumps in between their pads.

“I rang the vets because it wouldn’t come off and I was so concerned, all of their bedding has been thrown away and it’s all over my house.

“I had to bath them over and over.”

She added: “I don’t want others to have to go through this.

“At 7.30 a family of four with two little ones and dogs were getting out their car to go onto the beach, and I warned them not to; I am on my way to a groomer’s to see if she can help clean my dogs up.”

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council said: “Although the beach and path will not be closed, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Public Protection division has erected warning signs advising people to be aware of the oil and, if possible, avoid the beach and path at the present time.

“Officers have investigated the source of the pollution and, following liaison with Natural Resources Wales and other agencies, are undertaking the necessary clean-up measures.”