In the Russian city of Dzerzhinsk, located approximately 230 miles from Moscow, an unusual phenomenon has captured the attention of residents: some of the local dogs have developed blue fur.
Animal activists suggest that this blue coloring is the result of exposure to chemicals released by a nearby factory that used to produce Plexiglas and hydrocyanic acid (hydrogen cyanide dissolved in water).
The exact mechanism by which these chemicals affect the dogs’ fur color is currently under investigation.
There are speculations that the dogs may have come into contact with or ingested substances like copper sulfate, a bright blue inorganic compound commonly used in industrial processes. Kelly O’Meara, Vice President of the Humane Society International, noted, “The dye on their fur implies they had direct contact with or even ingestion of potentially toxic or harmful substances.”
Blue dogs were spotted near an abandoned chemical plant in Russia. #Secrets #StreamNow #DiscoveryPlus pic.twitter.com/eob7qRZKD8
— Business Charcha (@businesscharcha) February 13, 2021
Fortunately, no reports of illness related to the blue fur have emerged thus far. However, concerns remain about potential long-term effects.
Veterinarians and experts have examined seven of these dogs so far. According to Vladimir Groisman, the director of the veterinary clinic, “the general analysis of their blood and feces showed normal levels for all of them, including their biochemistry.”
Two of the blue-furred dogs have found new homes, and efforts are being made to find homes for the others.
Groisman believes that the dogs may have been stained by chemical residue, and this is not the first instance of animals with unusual fur color appearing on social media. In 2017, a photo of dogs with light blue fur in India garnered attention, and examinations revealed they had been exposed to illegally pumped chloride in a river.
The Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources plans to take legal action to enable regular spot inspections at the abandoned factory site, which hasn’t been operational since 2015.
Animal rights activists hope for a resolution to this issue that ensures the well-being of these dogs and prevents harm to any others in the future.