Levels of toxic algae are still high in Canterbury rivers prompting a renewed warning from the regional council for dog owners to keep a close watch on their pets.
Two dogs died in recent months after licking the algae in the Selwyn and Ashley Rivers.
Regional council water quality scientist Shirley Hayward says the low-flowing rivers in Canterbury are still prone to developing the algae, and dog owners using the region's rivers recreationally over Easter need to take care.
She says dogs should be kept away from areas of the river where dark brown algae mats are present and people should not swim near the algae build-up.