A dog walker is launching a £13,000 fundraiser to help pay off the vet’s bill following three dog deaths at a Dartford fishing lake.

Dog trainer Ineta Stanley has also pledged the money to support the families pay for the three pets’ funerals.

The 36-year-old was walking ten dogs at Brooklands Lake on May 17 when the pack started showing signs of extreme illness.

After rushing all the dogs to the A&E unit of Park Vets Hospital in Sidcup, three died from what has been diagnosed as Blue-green algae poisoning and the seven others were left fighting for their lives.

Mrs Stanley said: “Myself and my family are absolutely distraught by these tragic events but continue to be completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from our local community.

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Top Dog Training School, Dartford

She added: “On the news that morning, they said it would be the last beautiful day before the cold weather returned.

“I thought what a perfect day to take the dogs for a swim.

“The dogs were so happy playing, swimming and running around until three dogs started having what looked like an epileptic fit – sadly, the rest of the story you now know.

"It's not just a vet bill, it's money to support families too.

"The more we raise the more we can help."

The three pups who died have been named as Stanley, a boxer, Pippa, a beagle, and Marley, a mixed breed pup rescued from Spain.

All the other pooches have since been discharged from the vets, including Mrs Stanley’s own dog Benji, but face lifelong damage and medical attention.

All ten canines were in the care of the professional local dog trainer and her assistant when disaster struck.

By law, Mrs Stanley and her colleague are allowed to take up to 12 dogs out walking, but still faces a hefty £13,000 vet bill because the business insurance fails to cover the full amount.

A spokesman from Top Dog Training School and Home Boarding said:
"We are devastated by the events of Tuesday and our heartfelt sympathies are with all concerned.

"We would like to stress that we are not letting the matter drop and we are making our own investigations."

Some residents are now rallying together to help support the local business woman and urge dog lovers nationwide to support the cause.

Donations can be made via the justgiving page here.

Another three dogs have died this month after drinking the toxic algae at a nature reserve near Allerton Bywater, in West Yorkshire, police have confirmed.