Category
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AnimalsTranscript
00:00Hi, I'm health reporter Sarah McCann. Dog owners have been warned to stay away
00:05from a poisonous plant that has been spotted on UK beaches. Hemlock roots are
00:10often washed down to the beaches from riverbanks during winter. They look and
00:15smell like parsnips and are often mistaken for wild carrots, wild parsley
00:21and wild parsnip. Dog owners are being urged to familiarise themselves with what
00:26hemlock roots look like. The plants have a long whitish taproot and purple
00:32reddish spots on the central stem along with delicate white flowers on top.
00:37Hemlock has a distinct unpleasant musty smell if the plant is damaged. It's
00:43important that if you suspect that your dog has ingested hemlock roots that you
00:48seek medical care for them immediately and reach out to your nearest
00:52veterinarian. You can find out more about if hemlock has been found on any
00:56beaches in your local area at your local council.