Urgent warning to beachgoers after several sightings of toxic caterpillars at UK hotspot

dailystar.co.uk:

toxic caterpillars were spotted on a popular Essex beach.There are fears we're amid an outbreak of the Brown Tail moths caterpillars with numerous sightings on Jaywick Sands Beach.The critters can be harmful for people, causing itchy skin, but are most dangerous to dogs.

According to a resident the caterpillars have been hatching from the Brecon on the beach and crawling over the footpath into the gardens of surrounding houses since the weekend (April 23), reports EssexLive.

They claimed that the main outbreak is located on the beach at the top of Sea Pink Way.Brown Tail moths usually come out during the springtime and can be found near vegetation.The caterpillar releases irritant hairs into the air which can cause skin irritation and can affect some people quite severely, as well as proving potentially dangerous to dogs.Brown Tail Moths are brown, has a dotted white line down each side and two very distinctive red dots on the back of their tail.

According to Bulldogology, these insects can cause some serious discomfort to your puppy through tummy aches, diarrhoea or even lesions - making the caterpillars potentially toxic to man's best friend.