There’s been a buzz on the internet about toxic algae the past few months. Last month, three dogs died after a swim at a pond in North Carolina. Another incident occurred in Austin, Texas, where, after swimming in Ladybird Lake, three more dogs died. And a third incident came from next door in Georgia when a dog died after a swim in Lake Allatoona.

Lake Watch of Lake Martin received several inquiries concerning the risk of letting family pets swim in the lake, as well as the risk to their owners. Other incidents have involved the deaths or sickening of livestock, taste and odor problems with municipal drinking water supplies, sickening of people and closures of swim beaches.