Woman afraid to let dogs off leads around 'polluted' Preston canal

Kamila Dobosz, 32, from Ingol, claims that more needs to be done to look after the water in the canal and it has become "smelly and polluted".

She said last year it was left in a state all summer and this year is no different. Last week, the Post told how a dog ran onto the canal thinking it was grass.

Likening it to a swamp Shrek would live in, production planner Kamila said: "I went on holiday to Poland for three weeks and it was bad, but when I came back at the end of June and went for a walk with my two German Shepherds Paco and Switch near the Haslam Park going towards the UCLan Sport Area I could see it growing up fast and starting to smell, plus all sorts of rubbish are landing on the top of this green water.

"It is in an unkempt state which is now discoloured and starting to smell."

She added: "Paco wants to drink out of the canal water but there are dead fish floating on top of it so I keep both my dogs on leads now.

"It is very sad as my dogs love swimming in the water but I am afraid it could cause stomach problems if he ingests in and then who would be responsible for the vets bills?

"It's gotten worse. I speak to passers-by and they are of the same mindset.

"I feel sorry for the people sleeping next to the canal to have to see that view."

The Canal and River Trust said they were aware of the problem.

A spokesperson said: "The canal is currently covered in some parts, with a small green plant called water fern (Azolla filculoides) an invasive non-native species native to the Americans which has unfortunately spread worldwide.

"Trust ecologists are aware of the problem and will be employing the usual control methods to try and remove it.

“As with all-natural vegetation management, solutions are often not quick and easy. We’re currently releasing the Weevils into the canal which will help combat the problem.”