Jo-Anne and Steve were enjoying a lovely autumn afternoon walking their two Australian Shepherds beside Bétineuc pond, in Côtes-d'Armor, France. But as the small group was taking in the peaceful surroundings, Luna, a food-loving female weighing 57 lbs, wandered over to some unattended fishing gear.
Presumably expecting to find some tasty treats, the dog bit straight into the equipment. A few seconds later, she began shaking her head frantically while letting out heartbreaking whines.
Quick thinking to prevent a tragedy
Rushing over to her four-legged companion, Jo-Anne was horrified to discover that a sharp, barbed fish hook was lodged firmly at the back of Luna's tongue, trapped in nylon fishing line.
Faced with the immediate risk of the dog swallowing the dangerous object, her owner remained remarkably calm. She held Luna's jaw shut tightly, forcing her to breathe only through her nose. As reported by Actu.fr, this life-saving reflex stopped the hook from sliding down her oesophagus.
A warning to all dog walkers
While Jo-Anne kept Luna still, Steve managed to fetch the family car in record time. Immediately rushed to the vet clinic, the dog had to be put under general anaesthetic so the hook could be gently removed, followed by a course of antibiotics.
After 36 hours of rest and observation, the cheerful Australian Shepherd is now completely out of danger. Shaken by the dreadful ordeal, her owners now hope to raise awareness so that the banks of the pond remain a safe walking spot for everyone.
Translated from the FR Wamiz website using artificial intelligence
