Fishing Hook Nearly Kills Dog

A Labrador cross called Trixie owned by Dennis and Marilyn Riley from Newport, is recovering from life-saving surgery after she ate a discarded fishing trace and hook left on the beach close to their home. Dennis Riley, a retired commercial fisherman and occasional angler who lives on Dodnor Lane, is appealing to other anglers to ensure they dispose of unwanted tackle safely to avoid causing suffering to dogs and wildlife using the beach.

On 27 November 2009, nine and a half year old Trixie had been for a walk on the beach with Dennis.  During the walk, he noticed a trace hanging out of her mouth but saw no sign of a hook.  The next day, however, she started to vomit and stopped eating.  Two days later, she was still deteriorating so he took her to Pet Doctors in Newport on Monday 30 November.  

An X-ray showed a fish hook and weights in her intestine and her condition was so serious that vet David Beckingham operated immediately, performing a complex procedure involving opening both her stomach and her intestines to remove the fishing tackle.  Trixie is now recovering slowly at home with the Rileys though her recuperation is proving slow as she’s an elderly dog and already had major surgery just two months earlier.

Dennis Riley said:  “It’s been dreadful seeing poor Trixie suffer so much from a simple act of carelessness.  Discarded tackle is a major problem – it regularly causes damage to outboard motor boats moored here, including mine, but the suffering it causes to animals using the beach can be absolutely devastating – as Trixie’s experience shows.  We’re so grateful to Pet Doctors for the care they’ve given to Trixie. 

Most anglers are aware of the dangers and are careful about their equipment as a result.  I appeal those perhaps entering the sport for the first time to follow their lead and ensure they leave nothing on the beach which could pose a threat to pets, wildlife or property.

Vet David Beckingham said:  “The combination of the hook and the heavy weights causes huge damage to an animal’s internal organs and Trixie would have died if we’d not operated quickly.  She’s now recovering well considering her age and the other complications and I’m sure she’s relieved to be back at home with the Rileys. 

We hope anglers heed Dennis’ advice to reduce the risk of suffering to other animals.”

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