The sign warned people about green 1080 pellets found on the beach, noting the poison was "deadly to dogs and children’’, but it appeared not to have been sanctioned by any local authority.
Department of Conservation coastal Otago operations manager Annie Wallace said the department was aware of the sign, but it was not put up by Doc.
There was no evidence of the toxic pest control baits in the area and the sign would be removed, she said.
Doc understood there had been commentary on social media claiming a green cereal bait was found at the beach.
However, there was a range of green-coloured baits used for pest control that looked similar to 1080, but would have different toxins in them, she said.
Without seeing the baits first hand, she could not say what the cereal bait found at the beach might be.
Some were available over the counter, such as pindone for farmers carrying out rabbit control, Ms Wallace said.
"We think it’s unlikely the bait would be 1080 as there are strict controls around its use,’’ she said.
"Any toxic baits need to be used responsibly and we don’t want to see them in unexpected places.
"However, in this situation the risk to the public appears low as we are not aware of widespread reports of baits being found at the beach.’’
Staff who first saw the sign last weekend checked the beach and found nothing else, she said.
Other staff and community members had been active on the beaches at Aramoana in recent days and had seen nothing.
"Anyone who does find a bait in an unexpected place should contact the Otago Regional Council pollution hotline or the Ministry of Health.’’
Council compliance manager Tami Sargeant said a member of the public had contacted the council and said that they had found a 1080 pellet on Aramoana Beach.
"The pollution response team went out on site and didn’t find any 1080 pellets.’’
A Dunedin City Council spokesman said the city council was unaware of the sign or any 1080 drops in the area.
A post to Facebook group Dunedin News at the start of the week claimed a cereal bait had been found at the beach and asked others to be "vigilant in case more local beaches have been contaminated’’.
The post drew a varied response.
A couple of commenters said the pellet pictured looked like pindone.
The Ministry for Primary Industries advises pets seen eating pindone should be taken to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Anyone who does find a bait in an unexpected place should contact the Otago Regional Council pollution hotline or the Ministry of Health
