Dog needed surgery after 'sniffing' fishing hook

A dog owner is urging anglers to dispose of fish hooks responsibly after her pet got one stuck in its nose.

Katie Stevens, 44, from Beverley, was walking four-year-old retriever, Lola, along Beverley Beck in East Yorkshire on Monday when the injury happened.

With the help of passers-by, the hook was partially removed. An operation was needed to remove the remainder.

Ms Stevens added: "It was an experience I never want to see again. It was awful."

Ms Stevens, a mother-of-two, said she was walking Lola at a spot where fishing is not allowed.

Lola was also on a lead, she said.

She said Lola had "gone to sniff near a tree" when the fish hook got stuck in her nose.

"There was a big yelp," said Ms Stevens.

The situation worsened when another part of the three-pronged hook became attached to her coat leaving her and Lola attached.

After eventually managing to free herself from the animal, Ms Stevens called her cousin for help and a local mechanic cut off the prongs so she would not try to lick them.

"I was having to hold my hand between Lola's tongue and her nose because her tongue kept coming up to lick her nose," she said.

Lola was taken to a vets where she had an operation.

It was "extremely upsetting" to see her pet sedated, said Ms Stevens.

She said Lola was not her "usually bouncy self" after the incident but had resumed short walks.

Vet Mary Bridge, from Beverley, said fish hooks could get lodged in paws, noses and mouths. She dealt with injuries two or three times a year.

"In the worst cases, they can be swallowed and require major surgery to remove them," she added.

"We would urge anyone who fishes to ensure they take all their hooks home with them."

According to the RSPCA, discarded fishing line, hooks and netting accounted for 34% of all litter-related calls last year.

A spokesperson for the charity added: "We know the majority of anglers are careful, but a small number are letting the community down by not disposing of their waste properly and leaving animals like Lola in danger."

East Riding of Yorkshire Council said to minimise litter and preserve the natural beauty of the area, it had provided bins and "kindly asked all residents and visitors to dispose of their waste responsibly".

Listen to highlights fromHull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look Northor tell us about a story you think we should be coveringhere.

Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices