Dog walkers are being urged to beware of discarded fishing tackle after a much-loved family pet was injured on a Hampshire beach.
Gus, a three-year-old golden retriever, was rushed to Seadown Veterinary Services at Hythe with two triple hooks embedded in his nose and mouth.
The dog is owned by 32-year-old clinical associate psychologist Lara Winter-Thorne, who is currently on maternity leave.
Krystan Jackson, of Hot Diggity Dogs, was exercising Gus at Calshot when she saw fishing gear hanging from his mouth - and blood around his jaw.
She said: "Getting him back to my dog-walking van with two hooks and a fishing lure in his mouth without him shaking it and ripping it out was really difficult.
"Keeping Gus and the other dogs was my main priority, but nothing can prepare you for these situations.
"I'd like thank Forest Strollers for keeping me calm and Natascha Leonard Doggie Day Care & Boarding for coming down and driving my van to Seadown while I sat in the back with Gus to keep his head still during the journey.
"It's so reassuring to know that other dog walkers and dog lovers have your back and come to help when accidents like this happen."
Seadown nurse Olivia Hunter added: "Gus had a large fishing lure and two large hooks attached to his upper lip and tongue.
"To prevent further damage from swallowing the lure, one of our vets, Rhian Hill, sedated him so we could cut and remove the hooks safely and clean his wounds.
"Thankfully, Gus avoided any serious injury due to the quick thinking of his dog walker, but this is not always the case. When swallowed, fishing hooks can cause extensive internal damage and require surgery to retrieve."
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Lara, who lives in the New Forest, described the experience as "really scary from start to finish".
She added: "I've heard so many awful stories about dogs being injured by fishing hooks, but Krystan kept Gus safe and prevented it from being much worse.
"It's never nice to see your pets injured, especially when it's by something that's potentially avoidable.
"Our advice to other dog owners and walkers is be extra cautious and pick up any fishing gear that may have been washed up or left on the beach."
