SANS Souci resident Chris Donnellan is warning other dog owners about the risks of fish hooks after his Jack Russell terrier swallowed one.
Mr Donnellan was with his dog Kobe on their regular Sunday walk along Riverside Drive when it happened.
‘‘He stopped to eat something and when I looked closer I saw fishing line and a trace hanging out of his mouth,’’ he said.
‘‘It was pretty scary seeing the line in his mouth. He’s virtually a member of our family now.’’
He raced Kobe to Kogarah vet Ben Acheson from Benny and the Pets, who said fish hooks were a common problem for dogs in the area.
An X-ray showed a fishing hook in his stomach and he was taken to emergency surgery to remove it.
‘‘We’re very lucky that Ben came in on his day off, he saved Kobe’s life,’’ Mr Donnellan said.
The experience has shaken him and his wife Judy but he said he hoped it would remind dog owners and fishermen to be more careful.
‘‘Dog owners need to be more aware of what their dogs are picking up, especially near the water,’’ he said.
‘‘Fishermen also need to make sure they dispose of hooks and line properly.’’
He is also calling on Rockdale Council to install more disposal containers.
Have you seen discarded fish hooks at Sans Souci?
