Park rangers at the Padre Island National Seashore continue to turn away visitors dogs.

Much of the national park is located in Kleberg County.

Superintendent Joe Escoto said the park will be closed to dogs until further notice.

“Visitors choosing to bring their dogs to the National Seashore are putting their dogs at significant risk for severe illness and potentially death,” he said.

“Several dead coyotes have been found and the park has received reports of dogs becoming ill or passing away after visiting the park,” Escoto said.

“The park has limited information regarding the cause of the deaths, but toxicology reports suggest brevetoxin, acquired from the consumption of fish killed by the recent red tide, may be the cause for the recent coyote and dog mortalities,” he said.

Brevetoxin is a toxin produced by dinoflagellates, such as Karenia brevis the dinoflagellate responsible for the recent red tide event.