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Dangerous blue-green algae: Dogs at Lake Tegel are in danger of death!
Dogs at risk at Lake Tegel: Poisoning warning from blue-green algae. City councilor provides information about risks for four-legged friends.
Dangerous blue-green algae: Dogs at Lake Tegel are in danger of death!
On October 28, 2025, a tragic incident occurred at Lake Tegel when a dog suddenly collapsed and died. The animal's symptoms strongly suggest poisoning with blue-green algae toxins. This was confirmed by City Councilor Julia Schrod-Thiel (CDU), who informed about the serious dangers of these toxins for dogs. Dogs tend to hang out in riparian areas where elevated levels of blue-green algae toxins have been detected. These toxins are dangerous and can cause serious health problems even at low levels.
Blue-green algae toxins have been detected in Lake Tegel since 2017, and there have been several cases in which dogs died of intoxication after spending time near the water. While current water tests in the non-swimmer area of the bathing areas do not show any health-threatening concentrations, the danger remains. Dog owners are urged to keep their animals on a leash at Lake Tegel and prevent them from entering or drinking from the water. In addition, the Reinickendorf district office plans to put up warning signs to protect dogs in order to raise awareness of this danger.
Investigations and other incidents
Anna Luisa Schmid reported a worrying incident in which two dogs became ill after drinking water at Lake Tegel. Just five minutes after drinking, the dogs lay twitching on the ground. One dog even died on the way to the vet, while the other barely survived. Such incidents are not an isolated case at Lake Tegel: According to reports from “RBB”, at least 17 dogs have died after drinking water from the lake.
The cause of these diseases are blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), which can tend to bloom early in Lake Tegel, even in cooler water temperatures and sunlight. The Reinickendorf district councilor Sebastian Maack (AfD) has also pointed out the dangers and the Berlin State Office for Health and Social Affairs (LAGESO) expressly warns against contact with these algae.
Dangers of blue-green algae
Blue-green algae are widespread in water bodies and produce oxygen, but they can multiply en masse at high temperatures and nutrient levels. Not all blue-green algae are poisonous, but the likelihood of poisoning increases with the amount of algae. The toxic effects can have dermatological, hepatotoxic and neurotoxic consequences. If blue-green algae poisoning is suspected, symptoms such as salivation, vomiting and muscle twitching occur, which can quickly become fatal without treatment.
There is no specific antidote for this poisoning; Treatment includes supportive care and symptomatic therapy. If poisoning is suspected, a veterinarian should be consulted immediately. Prevention measures are very important: pet owners should avoid access to water with visible algae accumulations and ensure that their pets have safe water sources.
In view of the increasing dangers, the sensitized authorities and veterinarians would like to call on animal owners to be vigilant and to inform themselves about the risks of blue-green algae at water sources. The safety of our four-legged friends is our top priority.