DOG owners are being warned not to walk their pets in wooded areas after an outbreak of Alabama Rot was confirmed in Leigh.

Vets from across the borough met Wigan Council to discuss the matter after confirmation that two dogs have died after contracting the mysterious but deadly disease, for which there is no cure.

Several other suspected cases of the disease are currently being investigated.

A seven-month old puppy from Culcheth is among a number of other dogs whose owners believe died from the disease.

Suspected cases have been reported from Pennington Flash and Lilford Woods and Wigan Vets4Pets has warned dog owners to stay away from the Lilford Park area.

Dog owners have been warned to stay away from wooded areas and to wash their pets and shoes down after a walk.

However, the council has stressed that only a few dogs have been affected so far and that the disease does not seem to pass from dog to dog.

A residents’ meeting has also been held to discuss the outbreak.

Tyldesley resident Gary Hallows suspects that his cocker spaniel Sally died after contracting the disease in the Squires Lane area of the town.

He said: “I have seen a sign up near where I used to walk my dogs to warn people but I don’t know if there are anymore as I don’t want to walk down there.”

Lloyd Davies, veterinary surgeon at MyPetsVets in Leigh, said: “The cases we have seen do seem to have been related to Lilford Park but I am hesitant to say don’t walk your dogs there at all.”