Mystery of the 'blue dogs of Mumbai' solved

Pollution gave the canines their unusual hue

A blue dog is seen in Mumbai (STR/AFP/Getty Images)

The mystery of the ‘blue dogs of Mumbai’ has been solved.

Pictures showed the canines strolling the streets of the Indian city with their hair dyed a turquoise hue.

An investigation by city authorities confirmed what had been suspected by locals for some time – the dogs’ hair was dyed by industrial waste.

A manufacturing factory has now been shut down after it was accused of illegally dumping chemical waste into a heavily industrialised area of the Kasadi River.

Among other chemicals, high levels of chloride were found in the water.

The dogs are known to often swim in the river, which is how they are thought to have acquired their bold new style.

Locals who saw the change in the animals complained to city authorities, who launched an investigation.

“It was shocking to see how the dog’s white fur had turned completely blue,” local animal rights campaigner Arati Chauhan told the Hindustan Times last week.

“We have spotted almost five such dogs here and have asked the pollution control board to act against such industries.”

Some dye was washed off the dogs, who were otherwise unharmed.

It is unknown if other animals were affected by the pollution.