Published: December 21, 2010
Burnham dog owner’s anger after pet swallows fishing hook and line
A furious dog owner has hit out at seafront fishermen in Burnham-On-Sea after his spaniel was injured after swallowing a discarded fishing hook, line and bait on Monday night (December 20th).
Ashley Wyton was walking his seven year-old dog, Archie, along The Esplanade when it found the fishing equipment.
Ashley told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Archie somehow managed to find a discarded hook and line with bait still on it.”
“He ate it and this resulted in him having major surgery to remove two huge hooks overnight.”
“This is totally down to irresponsible behaviour by a mindless fisherman. I am totally disgusted and obviously upset that my dog has had to go through this.”
“The hook and bait could have been picked up by a wild animal, such as a fox, which would have resulted in the animal dying in considerable pain.”
Ashley says he has been given a £600 bill so far from the vet – a figure that will further rise each day his dog is kept in intensive care.
He is now considering whether to take legal action against Sedgemoor District Council. “If they allow people to fish from the seafront, then they should ensure it is done safely,” he says.
Meanwhile, his dog is expected to be in intensive care until Thursday. “We’ll then have to keep him very quiet over Christmas to allow the injuries to heal and the stitches to disolve.”
Pictured above is seven year-old Archie, the spaniel who was injured on Monday night on Burnham’s seafront
