Superintendent Joe Escoto announced that the dog ban that has been in effect since Dec. 9 at the Padre Island National Seashore has been lifted.

However, visitors choosing to bring their dogs to the National Seashore may still be placing their dogs at risk for severe illness and potentially death.

The park has limited information regarding the cause of the dog and coyote deaths that have occurred in the park in the last few months, he said.

“The information that is available points to a probable connection between the consumption of marine organisms by canines with the severe illness and death that has occurred in several instances,” Escoto said.

The park rangers suggestthat if visitors do decide to bring their dogs to the park, pet owners should take precautions.

Keep dogs on a leash (not to exceed six feet) and do not let pets consume any dead fish or marine life that remains on the beach.

“If your dog does becomes ill after visiting the park please alert park authorities,” Escoto said.