MARION, WI – The Marion Police Department has closed the Marion Pond while they investigate the death of a dog.
Police say a dog that was said to have been in the pond Friday, became ill and died..
The concern that the cause of death may be from blue-green algae lead to the Police Department shutting down use of the pond with guidance from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Waupaca County Health Department.
“So this is the first ever case that I know of,” Marion Police Chief Kevin Schultz said.
He says samples and photos were sent to the state department.
“Even though it did not appear that there was any in the pond, they recommended that we close it until we hear back,” he said. “It is more of a caution thing right now.”
Schultz says the pond is used quite a bit in the summer months.
“There is a lot of fishing and swimming in our swimming area. We have a lot of people on warmer days using the playground, beach and swimming area. We have had kids and dogs there at the park and they were swimming and down there with their dogs for the last month.”
He says they will reopen once it is safe to do so, but says people also need to be eyes for the city.
“If they notice anything suspicious, let the city know as soon as possible.”
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