Toxic sea hares wash up on NSW beach, posing threat to pets

Key points

• Thousands of sea hares have washed up at Aslings Beach in Eden on the NSW far south coast, prompting a warning to pet owners. Marine biologist Culum Brown said the arrival coincided with a natural algal bloom.
• The sea slugs can hold toxins from the algae they eat, which can pose a serious risk to dogs that lick, mouth or ingest them.
• Bega Valley Shire Council crews removed many of the animals, and high tides returned others to the water.