A tragic incident in Heraklion, Crete, has raised alarms after a dog died after consuming a pufferfish that had washed ashore at Kalo Limani beach. The event serves as a stark warning to pet owners visiting Greek beaches this summer.
A Fatal Mistake on the Shore
The dog’s owner, Maria Kaloudioti, shared the heartbreaking news on social media to alert others. According to her account, waves had deposited the toxic fish onto the beach. Her dog, Moréna, spotted it during a walk and ate it. Within roughly 30 minutes, Moréna collapsed and died.
Owner’s Emotional Warning
In her post, Kaloudioti wrote: “Unbearable pain… Just moments ago, we lost our Moréna. The little friend we loved, cherished — and who gave us back pure, unconditional love without asking anything in return. A pufferfish took her from us. At the beach, Moréna tasted a washed-up pufferfish. Half an hour later — death. Please watch your pets closely at the beach. A new danger. Words fail to describe how we — all four of us — feel. Goodbye, my love…”
The pufferfish — known locally as lagokephalos — contains potent neurotoxins, including tetrodotoxin, which can be fatal to both animals and humans. It is not safe to handle or consume, even if it appears lifeless or dried out. Authorities routinely warn against contact with pufferfish found along Greek coastlines, especially after storms or strong currents bring them ashore.