“TOXIC weed killer” used on a popular dog walking route could be changed after a barrage of complaints about pets getting sick.

Council bosses are now in talks to find a replacement to the weed killer, which is currently used in many roads and near East Beach Shoebury.

Dog owners and campaigners have now raised safety fears, with one paying £1,600 on vet bills.

Sally Horrigan, from Shoebury, says it is linked to her two Cane Corso dogs becoming sick, and one is still suffering.

She and other furious pet owners and families are demanding Southend Council stops using the substance.

She said: “My dogs are now on the mend but both were ill and we didn’t know what was wrong with them.

“We had to pay around £1,600 on tests and medication.

“One is still on antibiotics and coughing - he obviously has a throat irritation - one of the side effects of this chemical.

“It’s appalling and so unnecessary and looks awful too, causing light yellow patches on the grass areas.

“Lots of other residents and I have spoke to the council but had no luck at all.”

She said people are walking outside even more due to the Covid lockdown so families and their pets are more at risk.

She said the council should leave the weeds to grow for wildlife and insects.

Carl Hanser, 45, from Shoebury said: “It’s one of the most destructive pesticides.

“I am also extremely worried about children and our pets too and there’s no signs so hundreds of people are walking through this without knowing.”

Carole Mulroney, Southend Liberal Democrat councillor for environment and planning, said talks are under way following complaints.

She said: “We ensure that we closely monitor the products we use, and will ensure that if any product was to become unlicensed at any point, we would immediately halt the use of said product by ourselves and any of our contractors.

“I have started discussions with officers to see what other options we could consider for weed removal across the borough, and will continue these conversations over the coming weeks.”