Chester's hook horror prompts beach warning

DOG owner June Gill is warning others to be wary of fishing lure on the beaches. Her 10-month-old Labrador puppy got so tangled, with the hooks going deep into his skin, that he had to be tranquillised and stretchered from the rising tide at Saints Bay and taken for surgery.

'It was horrendous. He was struggling so much to try and free himself that he collapsed,' said Mrs Gill, who got Chester when he was 10 weeks old.

'He is only a puppy and he was tossing this thing around, when it got caught in his lip. Then he tried to get it out and his paw got caught. He was panicking and I was in terrific shock and the tide was rising.'

Deputy Francis Quin happened to be at the harbour and heard the dog wailing and Mrs Gill shouting. He put his own dogs in the car and went to help.

'The dog went for us as we tried to help him because he was in so much pain. Luckily she had a mobile and we could call the vet,' he said.

John Knight, from Les Eturs Veterinary Centre, had to anaesthetise the dog so that they could handle it. Using bolt cutters they got the hooks free, but two were so deeply lodged under the skin that they had to be surgically removed at the practice.

'They are quite nasty triangular hooks, but they are a nice shiny toy for dogs and sometimes people put things that make them interesting to smell for dogs,' he said. 'Obviously the dog didn't want to be helped because he was in too much pain. It was very dramatic for the owner and quite shocking from the dog's point of view. It was very lucky that Francis could hear all the commotion and was able to help.'

Chester was back on his feet by the afternoon and was picked up by his owner. Mr Knight has warned other dog owners to take extra care and to be aware of hooks which can get washed onto the shore, especially in stormy weather.

'We want fishermen to still enjoy their sport, but to be responsible and make sure they pack up their tackle as best they can. Unfortunately the hooks can loosen and get snagged on the rocks and drift on shore, particularly in storms. We get a lot of problems with seagulls and from time to time with dogs.'

Mrs Gill reinforced the warning.

'They shouldn't be leaving those things around. They are so dangerous for dogs and also for children walking barefoot on the beach in the summer.'