Devastated owners have claimed their beloved dog became 'lethargic' and was 'foaming at the mouth' after an evening walk, amid a spate of dogs falling ill with a mystery virus in recent days.
Julie Cox, from Consett, County Durham, took her four-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel for an evening walk around Hownsgill Industrial estate on January 9 and noticed his behaviour seemed 'strange'.
Shortly after coming back, Duke became extremely poorly with diarrhea and vomiting and also went off his food.
After going to the vets for tests, he was sent home with medication - but he quickly took a turn for the worst and suffered a fatal heart attack overnight.
There is no confirmation of what caused Duke to die but it comes amid reports of hundreds of dogs experiencing similar symptoms. Dog owners are advised to contact their veterinary practice if they spot any of these symptoms.
Cases of dogs falling ill have also been reported in parts of North East England and Yorkshire coastlines, including Hayling Island beach and Langstone Harbour in Hampshire, Fraisthorpe Beach in East Riding, Bridlington and Redcar beach.
Devastated owners have revealed their beloved dog, Duke, (pictured) became 'lethargic' and was 'foaming at the mouth' after an evening walk, amid a spate of dogs falling ill with a mystery virus in recent days
Julie Cox, (above) from Consett, County Durham, took her four-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel for an evening walk around Hownsgill Industrial estate on January 9 and noticed his behaviour seemed 'strange'
Speaking about her Duke's symptoms, Julie said: 'It was at ten past 11, he woke me up wanting to go out, and I thought it was a bit strange because he always goes for a long walk in the morning and at night.
'I took him out and he had diarrhea. I went back to bed after an hour and he woke me up again, it went on like this about every hour until the morning. He didn't want his breakfast and Duke normally really ravishes his food.'
Duke was described as a 'lovely' pup who was 'everybody's best friend' and a popular visitor to Consett's Duke of Wellington pub, which his owner Alan Marshall runs.
But after calling her local vet
