A VETERINARY surgery is urging anglers to be extra careful and ensure all fish hooks are removed after treating a number of dogs who have swallowed them.
Alderholt Veterinary Surgery has issued the reminder after the latest incident on Saturday evening.
West Highland terrier Tuppence was brought in by her owner Mark Clark who was holidaying in the area with his parents Ron and Joan.
The family had been to a private lake when they saw some fishing line hanging out of her mouth. They said she was struggling to claw it out of her mouth.
The veterinary team in Alderholt were able to remove the hook, which was lodged in her throat.
“It is just important to highlight the cases and make dog owners aware and hopefully anglers,” said veterinary surgeon Vaughn Stoman.
“We all enjoy nature in our personal ways, just be conscious that leaving hooks is really irresponsible and injuries cost people a lot of money and anxiety. The risk to the animals is quite high and the pain and discomfort, it is just cruel — think about the consequences. What if it was their own children.”
He says there have been three cases over the past year of dogs swallowing fish hooks, which can result in the animals having to have expensive surgery to remove, which can cost thousands of pounds.
However, he says it can be potentially fatal. In one case, the dog had to be put down due to its age, the associated risks of having major surgery as well as the cost, which would have been in the region of £2,000 for open chest surgery.
Dog owners are advised, if their pet swallows a fish hook to take them to a vet immediately.
“Go to a vet immediately. It is potentially a life and death situation," said Mr Stoman.
The 12-year-old dog, who is also known by her pedigree name Calamity Jane, is recovering well from her ordeal.
"It is a big relief it's out and she is back to her normal self," said owner Mark.
He added: "At the end of fishing it takes five minutes just to go back around and check everything."
The family thanked the team at Alderholt Veterinary Surgery for all they good work they did to help Tuppence.
Fish hooks, he said, can also be a problem for other wildlife such as swans and people need to be mindful when also fishing on the beach.
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