Devastated dog breeder’s grim warning after puppy dies from pet toy
A devastated Brisbane breeder is pleading for all dog toys that contain rope to be recalled after a puppy suddenly died.
Angel, a six-month-old Bernese mountain dog, died after her intestines became tangled with rope from the inside of her teddy bear toy, leaving Andrea Wilkinson heartbroken.
Vet Ray Baxter tried to save Angel's life but there was too much rope in her body – some segments were 40cm long.
“Angel had chewed up and swallowed the content of an ‘indestructible’ teddy bear toy that had rope inside it,” the 50-year-old training manager said.
"She'd gone to live with her new owners and they'd rang to say she'd gone off her food.”
She said the rope had blocked her intestines and bowel, requiring emergency surgery. But sadly, Angel died on June 8 due to blood poisoning.
“It is so sad because it can be prevented so easily, people think they are doing their dogs a favour, but some toys could cost their dogs life,” Ms Wilkinson said.
“People would never leave a toddler to play with something in their mouth so why should it be any different with a dog?”
Even soft toys can be harmful to dogs
Ms Wilkinson has shared her story in a bid to raise awareness of the dangers of dog toys.
“This is a lesson for all dog owners, even soft toys can be harmful if they swallow them,” she said.
Ms Wilkinson advised dog owners to stop giving their pets toys.
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“I would recommend giving them a carrot to chew on, at least that won’t affect their insides,” she said.
Dr Baxter has had to surgically remove numerous rubber toys and socks from the stomachs of dogs, but said Angel’s case was a “complicated” one.
“Pet owners think just because a toy is sold, it is safe, but evidentially this is not always safe and we really should be more cautious with what we give our animals,” the vet advised.
He recommended owners supervise their dogs whenever they are playing with toys.
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