Another dog died this week after taking a walk along the Venice Canal amid the outbreak of a mysterious illness that have made over a dozen dogs ill, a community group said Thursday.
According to the Venice Canals Association, it’s the seventh dog to die since dog owners began reporting that their dogs became sick without a clear reason nearly two weeks ago.
After waking up with high temperatures and severe tremors, the dog was unable to use her rear legs. After a veterinarian evaluated that the dog developed a heart murmur, the owner decided to euthanize her to ease her pain.
“She was in mayor pain and distress,” the dog owner told the association.
The dogs who became sick suffered seizures after taking a walk along the Venice Canal. Amber Frias reports for the NBC4 News at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, 2025,
The latest dog to die did have pre-existing conditions at age 15. But the owner said she was in good health and spirits up until Tuesday.
All the dogs that died or were taken to the ICU had similar symptoms, including voting, lethargy, seizures or cardiac arrest. They all became sick within 48 hours of taking a walk along the Venice Canals.
While Los Angeles authorities are trying to pinpoint the cause, neighbors believe there may be something toxic in the Canals that the dogs may be coming into contact with.
Neighbors said the mysterious illness is preventing them and their four-legged companions from living their normal lives.
“It’s scary,” Ramon Goni, a Venice resident, said. “It is serious, and we’re asking everyone in the community to be very very vigilant and to the health authorities to take action as soon as possible so we can figure out what is going on with our dogs.”