Wrexham Couple Links Dog’s Rare Tumour to Contaminated Land Exposure

A Wrexham couple is calling for an investigation into whether contaminated land contributed to the death of their dog, whose health rapidly declined after encountering an unknown orange substance during a walk in December 2019.

Donna and Pete O’Brien reported that their four-year-old dog, Misty, emerged from a swampy pool near the Cefn Viaduct covered in what they described as a “greasy orange film.” While they initially suspected the residue was copper or iron washing through the landscape, Donna noted the material was oily and carried a strong odor.

Although Misty had previously been a healthy animal, her condition worsened over the following years. By 2024, the nine-year-old dog was experiencing difficulty during walks, frequently stopping to rest. Her symptoms escalated to coughing up blood and expelling fluid from her nose. An ultrasound revealed a growth on her heart, which veterinarians believed to be a tumor, alongside potential masses on her stomach and lungs. Cardiac tumors are extremely rare, affecting approximately 0.19% of dogs.

The couple linked their concerns to the BBC documentary Buried, which premiered in August 2026 and examined historical chemical dumping in the region. Upon viewing the program, they observed similarities between the substances described in the film and the residue found on Misty. They also attended a meeting of the Monsanto Contamination Action Group, where they heard accounts that resonated with their own experiences.

Pete O’Brien argued that pet medical records should be analyzed for clusters of rare illnesses alongside human health data. “Illnesses that take decades to develop in humans often progress much quicker in animals,” he said. “There are so many sites. Who knows what we and they are being exposed to? That’s why we feel that as well as human medical records, pet medical records need to be examined for clusters of rare illnesses.”

Wrexham councillor Derek Wright raised the issue at a recent council meeting, criticizing the safety measures at nearby contaminated sites adjacent to Ty Mawr Country Park. He highlighted that some areas are only protected by a three-foot fence without warning signs, and that one former lagoon has become part of a public footpath used by dog walkers and families.

Wright noted the lack of publicly tested data regarding the contents of these lagoons. In response, a Wrexham council spokesperson stated that investigations indicated the deposits were the result of mining activity. The council confirmed it had inspected the area with Natural Resources Wales and liaised with the Coal Authority, asserting that no further action was required.