Dog owners in Portsmouth warned about white substance on beach

Portsmouth City Council issued the advice this morning.

It comes after reports of a white, waxy pollutant – believed to be paraffin wax – washing up on beauty spots along the coast, including at Fareham.

The substance could pose a danger to dogs that consume it.

In a statement on the authority’s Facebook, Portsmouth City Council warned: ‘Anyone walking by the sea this weekend should be aware there has been a white waxy substance washed ashore in other areas of the south coast.

‘There haven’t been any reports in Portsmouth but we’d advise keeping dogs on leads.

‘If you do see anything washed up give Colas a call on 023 9231 0900.’

Yesterday a small amount of the pollutant was reported to have washed up at Hill Head.

Hampshire County Council’s waste contractor, Veolia, launched a clean-up operation to rid the beach of the wax.

In recent weeks. the substance has reportedly appeared on other coastal stretches across Sussex and Kent, as well as further west in Hampshire.