Dog Dies After Exposure to Orange Substance on Contaminated Land Near Wrexham

A couple believe their dog may have died after being exposed to an orange, oily substance while walking on contaminated land near Cefn Viaduct, near Wrexham.

Donna and Pete O’Brien are calling for veterinary records to be examined after their dog, Misty, developed a series of serious and rare health problems following a walk near a wetland pool.

Dog covered in greasy orange film after walk

The couple said Misty became ill after walking near Thai Mar in December 2019. At the time, they noticed their dog was covered in what looked like a “greasy orange film”.

“At that time you would think there was copper or iron running down the landscape, but it smelled bad and the whole coat felt oily,” Donna said.

Misty, who loved running through mud and swamps, remained stained with the orange substance for several weeks. The couple said they vowed never to return to the area.

Misty developed vomiting and diarrhoea

Misty had always been a “really healthy dog”, but Donna and Pete said her health quickly deteriorated after the walk.

According to veterinary records, she began suffering from regular diarrhoea and vomiting. By 2024, when she was nine years old, Misty was still experiencing serious health problems.

“When she got to the end of her walk, she would stop for a moment,” Pete said.

“It was unusual, but we did it because she wanted to get out a little bit more.”

Rare heart tumour discovered before her death

Misty later began coughing up blood and vomiting through her nose. An ultrasound shortly before her death revealed what appeared to be a tumour on her heart. The couple said the tumour affects only 0.19% of dogs.

Veterinary examinations also suggested that Misty may have had tumours in her stomach and lungs.

Couple seek investigation into possible chemical link

Donna and Pete believe Misty’s illness may be linked to a historic chemical dump in the area. The site was recently investigated in the BBC documentary Buried.

The couple are calling for pet health records to be investigated to determine whether a cluster of rare diseases exists among animals that may have been exposed to the contaminated land.