Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) is warning owners to keep their dogs away from the Hutt River and Wellington Harbour beaches until officers have checked these areas for toxic possum carcasses. These carcasses may contain 1080 poison following a possum control operation undertaken on 30 September 2014 in the Kaitoke Regional Park and Hutt River Catchment. The carcasses may have washed downstream following heavy rain overnight.

GWRC officers are checking beaches from Petone to Eastbourne and out to Pencarrow. Once the level of the Hutt River has gone down, staff will be checking both sides for possum carcasses from Te Marua to Petone. The checks are expected to take two to three days. Officers have begun placing warning signs at river and beach access points where possible.

Greater Wellington Regional Council Biosecurity Manager Davor Bejakovich said that possum carcasses werent a threat to people but would still be poisonous to dogs. "While people arent at risk from these poisoned carcasses, we take the threat to dogs very seriously. Were putting up warning signs along beaches at Petone and the eastern side of the harbour today and along the Hutt River as soon as the water level has dropped."

"We urge dog owners to avoid all eastern harbour beaches from Petone to Pencarrow, and the Hutt Riverbed. Anyone walking their dog near the harbour beaches and Hutt Riverbed should keep their animals close on a lead and not allow them to scavenge, until warning signs have been taken down."

Warning signs could be in place for up to four months depending on how long it takes for the possum carcasses to breakdown. GWRC staff will continue to monitor the breakdown of possum carcasses in the Kaitoke Park and Hutt River Catchment.

If dogs should come into contact with possum carcasses believed to be toxic owners should attempt to make their dog vomit and take it to a vet immediately. Some advice is contained in this leaflet online: http://www.gw.govt.nz/assets/Parks-and-Recreation/Kaitoke/Kaitoke-Hutt-Water-Catchment-Possum-Control-brochure-Web_2.pdf

Members of the public should call 04 5264133 if they find a possum carcass or have any questions relating to the monitoring or clearance of possum carcasses.

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Keep dogs away from Hutt River and harbour beaches