A morning walk turned into a traumatic ordeal for a local couple when their six-month-old cocker spaniel swallowed a large trace on Tiffany’s Beach.

Jordy and Tiaan Johnson were walking their puppy, Astro, on Monday, July 7, when he ate a sardine on a fish hook lying next to a rubbish bin. One hook lodged in the back of Astro’s tongue.

“We rushed him to the vet immediately,” said Jordy. “Luckily, they were able to sedate him and remove the hooks, but it could have ended differently.”

Jordy has since started offering bags to fishermen for unused bait and tackle, after noticing some arrive without any.

“Fishermen need to take responsibility for their trash. They must take everything they bring home. The bins also need animal-safe lids,” she added.

The danger extends beyond pets.

“There are many stories of dog owners who have experienced the same thing, some were not as lucky as our little guy,” said Tiaan.

“Had a vervet monkey or woolly-necked stork found that sardine, it could have been a painful death. And what if someone stepped on one of those hooks?”

Ballito Veterinary Hospital has already treated five dogs with fish hook injuries this year. Dr Christy Brown said three cases were reported in June alone.

“We are not sure if this aligns with fishing seasons, but it happens often,” she said.

Aloe Veterinary Clinic, also in Ballito, report an average of two cases per month. Dr Jeremy Lamb said around 20 cases were treated last year.

“Some injuries involve just the lip or mouth, but swallowed hooks are far more serious and difficult to remove,” he said.

“The dogs don’t die as long as the hook and line are removed in time.”

Salt Rock Veterinary Clinic has not seen any cases this year, but Dr Roxanne Buckle confirmed many prior after-hours emergencies involving fish hooks.

“Last year I treated five cases and most hooks were lodged in the mouth,” she said.

“We referred one cat to a specialist for scope removal.”

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